Chiefs Keep Harrison Butker as Starter While Justin Tucker Holds Practice-Squad Role

Overview

• Harrison Butker missed a 54-yard field goal late in Denver that was followed by a Broncos touchdown and factored into the Chiefs’ loss.
• The team signed veteran Justin Tucker to the practice squad after a workout to create a quick elevation option and a veteran resource for the kicking unit.
• Head coach Andy Reid and special teams coach Dave Toub have publicly backed Butker and announced he will remain the starter for the next game while the team works to correct issues in practice.
• Toub said coaches will recreate difficult kicks, move kicking positions in practice, and lean on Tucker’s experience to “exhaust every possibility” before changing kickers.
• If Butker’s in-game struggles continue the Chiefs can promote Tucker under practice-squad elevation rules, a decision that would affect roster management and intensify scrutiny of special-teams coaching.