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Ravens release kicker Justin Tucker, officials confirmed Monday

Matt Patterson/AP

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.

By: Dominick Philippe-Auguste , Raven Payne

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BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens have released kicker Justin Tucker, officials confirmed Monday.

In a statement, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said that this was an "incredibly difficult football decision."

"Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker," said DeCosta.

Ravens fan Galio Gurdian thinks it's a bad move.

"It was expected, they drafted a kicker in the draft. I don't know if it's a particularly good idea I still think he's one of the best kickers in the league," Gurdian said, "I can't believe they just gave him up like that I mean they kept Ray Lewis and he was a murder suspect."

Speculation has been increasing for months following the allegations made against Tucker back in January that were initially reported by the Baltimore Banner.

Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists in the Baltimore region.

He later denied those claims, saying that the Banner's article was "desperate tabloid fodder."

Following the release of the Banner's report, the NFL launched an investigation into Tucker.

That's something sports fans like Patrick Hanrahan can't ignore.

"It's crazy I mean he's obviously one of the best if not the best kicker of all time but he had some crazy allegations. Sexual misconduct is no joke so," Hanrahan said.

Fans who grew up watching him like Makenna Egas are reeling from the news.

"It's not that crazy I've heard some mixed reviews lately but also I'm shocked and upset and confused," Egas said.

Tucker's struggles on the field were evident to fans.

The 13-year-Raven posted his career low field goal percentage last season.

"I know Tucker's coming off not one of his best years so maybe they needed a new kicker anyway."

DeCosta and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh have spoken at press conferences saying that they would wait until the NFL concluded their investigation to figure out next steps.

At this time, there is no indication of what the NFL came up with in their investigation.

The Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round in this year's draft.