Will a team take a chance this season on Justin Tucker?

8 months ago - Sportingbase

Justin Tucker of Houston, Texas will not be kicking in the National Football League anytime soon. The 35-year-old place kicker, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens in May, was suspended 10 games on Thursday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy according to the Associated Press.

Now we do not know all of the precise details of what Tucker did wrong or know how Tucker precisely violated the league’s personal conduct policy. What we do know is that the Baltimore Banner published a story in January where six massage therapists allegedly accused Tucker of inappropriate sexual behaviour. The NFL did their own investigation following the report and suspended Tucker as a result. We do not know at this time if Tucker may be facing criminal charges.

The next question will be if NFL teams will take a chance on Tucker following the suspension. If there is no further legal discipline, there is a possibility Tucker could find another NFL job. This possibility is there based on past history. Quarterback DeShaun Watson found work in Cleveland despite his inappropriate conduct for allegedly harassing 24 women during massage therapy sessions in Houston. Watson was suspended 11 games.

The Tucker incident is after fellow kicker Brandon McManus found work in Green Bay last season. McManus was investigated by the NFL for alleged inappropriate behaviour toward flight attendants on a flight from Jacksonville to London. The NFL allowed McManus to continue playing after not finding sufficient evidence. However, one should realize McManus was released by the Washington Commanders and did not play any games while the league investigated the incident.