Justin Tucker has already seen his Ravens tenure come to an finish, and he shall be unavailable to his subsequent workforce for a lot of the season in 2025 if he’s to line up a deal. The All-Professional kicker was issued a 10-game suspension on Thursday.
Mark Make of the Washington Post notes that Thursday’s information is just not the results of an arbitrator’s ruling. This case by no means proceeded to a listening to in entrance of Sue Robinson (which did occur with Deshaun Watson, as an illustration). As a substitute, the size of this ban was agreed upon between the events concerned.
The suspension will take effect on Aug. 26, since that represents the roster cutdown deadline around the league. Tucker will first be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11. A free agent at the moment, he is still allowed to sign with an interested team at any point (although Thursday’s news certainly hinders the chances of that taking place).
In February, allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions went public against Tucker. The 35-year-old has denied the claims on more than one occasion, but a league investigation was launched into the matter. Thursday’s findings conclude {that a} violation of the league’s private conduct coverage occurred, ensuing within the suspension.
Previous to the draft — with the NFL probe ongoing — the Ravens confronted the potential for shifting on from Tucker. The workforce supposed to attend till the investigation concluded to decide on that entrance, however as soon as Tyler Loop was chosen within the sixth spherical it seemed to be a assure a Tucker launch would certainly happen. Early final month, Baltimore moved forward with a post-June 1 cut.
On the time of Tucker’s launch, the Ravens insisted the transfer was strictly soccer associated. The seven-time Professional Bowler posted an area objective price no decrease than 82.5% throughout his first 12 years within the league (all spent with Baltimore). Tucker skilled a notable downturn in accuracy halfway by means of this previous season, although, and his total success price on area objectives dropped to 73.3%. Chopping ties with three years remaining on his contract was a transfer little doubt partially knowledgeable by the dip in efficiency, however Baltimore’s determination additionally implied information reminiscent of this could possibly be coming.
Now that Tucker is about to overlook a lot of the approaching marketing campaign, his possibilities of touchdown a brand new alternative within the NFL have taken a success. A free agent pact previous to the NFL’s investigation concluding was at all times unlikely, and Thursday’s ban — which is not going to be appealed — might very properly result in a full season spent on the sidelines.
“We’re disillusioned with the NFL’s determination,” an announcement from Tucker’s agent reads partly (via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). “Justin has at all times strived to hold himself in a approach that might make his household and group proud. He stands by his earlier statements. To be able to put this troublesome episode behind him and get again on the sphere as quickly as doable, we have now suggested Justin to just accept this decision and shut this matter.”
A Tremendous Bowl champion in 2012, Tucker owns plenty of all-time information and has amassed over $51M in profession earnings. That determine might proceed to climb sooner or later, however particularly within the wake of Thursday’s suspension, his NFL future is unclear.
