Justin Tucker, the veteran placekicker, has been granted a tryout by the New Orleans Saints following his 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This marks his first opportunity to compete since the suspension, which was imposed after allegations of sexual misconduct were raised against him. The Saints are looking to assess Tucker’s skills after Blake Grupe, the team’s current placekicker, missed two of his three field-goal attempts in a recent loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Head coach Kellen Moore, addressing the tryout, emphasized Tucker’s leadership and contributions to the Ravens, where he spent 13 seasons. ‘He’s been one of their leaders for an extended period on a very successful team,’ Moore stated. ‘Obviously, there’s been some stuff that’s been unfortunate. He’s gone through an experience and I think it’s about collecting what that experience was.’ Moore noted Tucker’s long-standing success with the Ravens, including seven Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory, which underscores his value as a player.
Tucker accepted the suspension, which was one game less than that of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faced similar allegations in 2022. However, the Ravens decided to move on from Tucker due to the off-field issues, which impacted his performance in 2024. Despite the personal challenges, Tucker’s wife, Amanda, has remained supportive, stating that the false allegations have caused significant pain to their family. ‘I believe my husband, and I love and support him fully,’ she said.
The Saints are also reportedly bringing in Cade York for the tryout, indicating a competitive process for the placekicker position. As the team evaluates options, they are weighing Tucker’s experience and past performance against the potential of other candidates. The situation highlights the NFL’s ongoing efforts to balance on-field performance with off-field conduct, as teams navigate the complexities of player discipline and management.