Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh says his workforce’s determination about whether or not to maintain kicker Justin Tucker shall be a “soccer” determination amid sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to the NFL veteran.
Baltimore drafted Arizona kicker Tyler Loop within the sixth spherical of this yr’s NFL Draft, underscoring how unsure Tucker’s future is. The Baltimore Banner has reported that over a dozen therapeutic massage therapists have accused Tucker of inappropriate sexual habits. The NFL has mentioned it can examine the allegations. Tucker has maintained he didn’t act inappropriately in the direction of any of his accusers.
“From the standpoint of the investigation and all that, we don’t know something. We haven’t been given any info – accurately. It’s all accomplished the way in which it’s accomplished,” Harbaugh mentioned on Sunday. “So you may’t make any choices primarily based on that. Each determination we make needs to be primarily based on soccer.
“There’s plenty of layers to that. You’ve bought a rookie kicker in right here. You took him within the sixth spherical, early within the sixth spherical. He’s a proficient man. Simply from a soccer standpoint – wage cap, all of the various things that you just simply think about – no matter we determine to do over the subsequent few weeks shall be primarily based on soccer.”
The accusations in opposition to Tucker embrace claims that he uncovered his genitals, brushed among the therapists along with his penis and left ejaculate on remedy tables. Two spas instructed the Banner that they had banned Tucker from returning. One therapist who spoke to the Banner described Tucker’s alleged habits as “actually degrading”. One other mentioned that: “I can’t watch sports activities anymore. I see his face all over the place.”
Tucker is taken into account by many to be the best kicker in NFL historical past, and holds the information for longest discipline purpose and profession discipline purpose share. He has been named to the Professional Bowl seven instances since he joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Nonetheless, the 35-year-old had the worst on-field season of his profession in 2024, changing simply 73.3% of his discipline objectives, in comparison with a profession common of 89.1%.
In the meantime, Mike Inexperienced, the Ravens’ second-round choose on this yr’s draft, declined to debate allegations of sexual assault which were directed at him.
“Each workforce requested me, and I’ve been fully open about every thing,” Inexperienced mentioned. “It’s one thing that I needed to undergo, and I bought by way of it.”
Inexperienced performed at Virginia after which at Marshall. He mentioned on the NFL scouting mix that he transferred after being accused of sexual assault for a second time. Inexperienced instructed reporters on the mix that he additionally was accused of sexual assault in highschool. He mentioned he was by no means charged and insisted he did nothing flawed.
He was requested Sunday how he ended up dealing with two separate allegations.
“I’m simply targeted proper now on transferring ahead with my profession on the Ravens,” he mentioned. “I’m blessed to be right here. It’s an honor.”
The Ravens mentioned after drafting Inexperienced that they did their “due diligence” on him.
