Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended for the first 10 games of the 2025 NFL regular season, the league announced on Thursday. The discipline comes as a result of violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy, stemming from serious allegations made against the veteran player.
The unpaid suspension is set to begin on August 26, 2025, which coincides with the league’s roster cutdown day. Tucker will be eligible for potential reinstatement to the NFL on November 11, 2025.
The Suspension and Its Cause
The NFL’s investigation focused on multiple allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior made against Tucker by Baltimore-area massage therapists. These accusations were first reported publicly in a series of articles by The Baltimore Banner beginning in January. According to these reports and subsequent coverage, 16 massage therapists from eight different spas and wellness centers accused Tucker of misconduct in alleged incidents dating back as far as 2012 and continuing through 2016.
Specific allegations reported by the accusers included claims that Tucker repeatedly and intentionally exposed his genitals during sessions, touched therapists with his erect penis, and in some instances, left what appeared to be ejaculate on massage tables. Some therapists reported ending sessions early due to the behavior or refusing to work with Tucker again in the future.
The NFL’s investigation, which began interviewing accusers shortly after the allegations surfaced, concluded that Tucker’s actions violated the league’s personal conduct standards. The NFL’s policy mandates a minimum six-game suspension for serious violations such as non-consensual sexual contact or exposure, with a “pattern of conduct” being a factor that can increase the penalty. Tucker’s 10-game ban exceeds this minimum, reflecting the league’s findings.
Reactions from Both Sides
Justin Tucker has consistently and forcefully denied any wrongdoing related to the allegations, repeatedly calling them “unequivocally false.”
His agent, Rob Roche, issued a statement expressing disappointment with the NFL’s decision. However, Roche added that he advised Tucker to accept the suspension without requesting an arbitration review – a process that would have made the disciplinary findings public. According to Roche, this advice was given “in order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible.” Roche also stated that Tucker “stands by his previous statements” and strives to make his family and community proud, emphasizing that those who know him understand his character beyond his football career.
On the other hand, attorneys representing many of the accusers, Michael Belsky and Catie Dickinson, released a statement asserting that the NFL’s findings “validate the experiences told by each of the victims.” They sharply criticized Tucker for not apologizing or acknowledging responsibility, arguing that by “falsely attacking the credibility of the victims,” he “re-victimized them,” calling his actions unnecessary and unacceptable. Reactions among the accusers were varied; while some felt the outcome provided a degree of validation and felt “finally heard,” many others expressed that the 10-game suspension felt inadequate, describing it as “the bare minimum” given the impact the incidents had on their lives and careers.
Tucker’s Departure from the Ravens
The suspension announcement follows Tucker’s release by the Baltimore Ravens on May 5, 2025. The team publicly stated at the time that the decision was made for “football reasons.” However, the release occurred roughly three weeks after the allegations became public and shortly after the Ravens selected kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh later described the decision to part ways with Tucker, who had been the team’s kicker for 13 seasons, as “complex” and a “multi-layered decision.” Harbaugh indicated that the need to ensure the team had a reliable kicker ready for the upcoming season, amidst “a whole lot of moving parts” (implying the serious nature of the allegations and the impending NFL investigation/suspension), was a significant factor alongside Tucker’s documented performance decline in his final season, where he posted a career-low field goal success rate of 73.3% in 2024 (likely referring to the 2023 season). The team has since brought in other kickers, including undrafted free agent John Hoyland, to compete for the starting role.
What This Means for Tucker’s NFL Future
Tucker, 35, is currently a free agent. The terms of his suspension allow him to serve the 10-game ban even if he is not under contract with an NFL team. Should he sign with a team during the offseason, he would still be permitted to participate in training camp and preseason games before the suspension takes effect on August 26. He is allowed to try out and sign a contract despite the pending suspension.
Whether an NFL team will sign the highly decorated veteran kicker remains uncertain. Tucker has been widely considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, holding the league record for the highest career field goal accuracy percentage (89.1%) and known for numerous clutch kicks and franchise records during his time in Baltimore. However, the severity of the allegations and the subsequent 10-game suspension present significant public relations challenges for any potential suitor, casting a shadow over his previously celebrated career legacy.
