Justin Tucker could be one step closer to an NFL return.
The disgraced former kicker of the Baltimore Ravens will go through a tryout with the New Orleans Saints, according to multiple reports. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, Tucker and fellow veteran Cade York will work out for the team. Tucker recently completed a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
The Ravens released Tucker in May though simply characterized it as one of the tough ‘football decisions’ any team makes. Of course, that was only a part – hopefully a very small part – of the calculus to unload a five-time All-Pro who’d crafted an argument as the best kicker in league history over 13 mostly stellar seasons on the football field.
Yet it’s Tucker’s purported misconduct off the field for which he’s become notorious – if, apparently, not completely radioactive.
According to in-depth reporting by the The Baltimore Banner, 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas shared horror stories about alleged sexual misconduct by Tucker during sessions that occurred between 2012 and 2016. Tucker was not charged with any crimes, and the statute of limitations in Maryland to file a civil action against him is long past. He has also strongly denied the therapists’ claims.
The NFL’s investigation into the matter spurred it to suspend him on June 26. But unlike the penalty the league levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson three years ago, in what can only be described as similar circumstances – at the time, 24 women had filed civil suits against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions – Tucker was not fined nor ordered to undergo treatment or an evaluation.
On the field, last season was also the worst of Tucker’s career as he converted a career-low 73.3% of his field-goal attempts.