Justin Tucker is being punished by the NFL because of the allegations of sexual misconduct he has confronted.
The league announced on Thursday that Tucker has been suspended the primary 10 weeks of the season with out pay for violations of the NFL’s Private Conduct Coverage. Tucker’s suspension will take impact on Aug. 26, which is the day groups want to chop down their rosters. He might be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11.
Tucker can serve his suspension even when he’s a free agent. If he had been to signal with a group, he would nonetheless be allowed to attend coaching camp and take part in preseason video games.
Tucker’s suspension stems from allegations of sexual misconduct he has faced from ladies from whom he acquired massages. Tucker has denied the allegations.
“We’re upset with the NFL’s choice. Justin has all the time strived to hold himself in a manner that might make his household and group proud. He stands by his earlier statements,” Tucker’s consultant said in a press release, through ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “With a purpose to put this tough episode behind him and get again on the sector as quickly as potential, we now have suggested Justin to simply accept this decision and shut this matter. The individuals who know Justin greatest know his character and perceive that whereas he stays absolutely dedicated to excellence as a soccer participant, he’s deeply devoted to his most essential lifetime roles as a father, husband, and pal.”
Now that they know the size of his suspension, there’s little incentive for a group to signal Tucker instantly. Though the 35-year-old has the very best field-goal proportion in NFL historical past at 89.1, he slipped to a career-worst 73.3 mark final season. His poor efficiency final season mixed with the allegations he has confronted makes it much less doubtless for him to be signed within the close to future.