Feb. 25 (UPI) — Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said he is concerned about long list of sexual misconduct allegations made against Justin Tucker, but will wait for more information before considering taking action against the kicker.
DeCosta and Ravens coach John Harbaugh spoke about the allegations, which have been made by more than a dozen message therapists throughout the Baltimore area, during the NFL scouting combine Tuesday in Indianapolis.
The allegations first surfaced publicly in a report published Jan. 30 in the Baltimore Banner. Tucker, who has not been criminally charged, previously denied the claims.
“The allegations are serious and concerning,” DeCosta said at the Indiana Convention Center. “The amount of allegations are serious and concerning.
“I think we’re fortunate in that the league is doing an investigation. We will wait as patiently as we can for as much information as we can and make our decisions based on that.”
Tucker made 89.1% of his field goals — the best rate in NFL history — through the first 13 years of his career. He joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Tucker earned seven Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro nods and a Super Bowl ring during his tenure with the AFC North franchise.
He signed a four-year, $24 million contract extension with the Ravens in 2022. That deal was restructured in September.
DeCosta said the Ravens plan to look at every case. NFL representatives previously traveled to Baltimore as part of their investigation.
DeCosta met with Tucker, while Harbaugh called the kicker a few weeks after the allegations surfaced. They kept details of those conversations private.
“It’s not what you want to wake up and read,” Harbaugh said. “You don’t want to read about it. It’s not something you want to see. I don’t care what it is in terms of things that are hurtful and harmful to people.
“There are too many headlines like that, too many stories that make you just sad and disappointed. You don’t want to ever see a circumstance or situation, especially as it relates to your work, where anybody is made to feel less than great when they are involved in a work experience somewhere.”
Harbaugh said the Ravens plan to evaluate potential new kickers this off-season.
“That’s just really a tough deal,” Harbaugh said. “The NFL is looking into it. They are going to review it, try to gather all the facts, and hopefully, I’m sure we will have an understanding of it at that time.
“Once there is an understanding of it, then you have a chance to make some decisions and determinations and things like that and that’s where we are at right now.”
Tucker, 35, made a career-worst 73.3% of his attempts last season.
