The New York Jets worked out Justin Tucker on Wednesday, September 2, along with kickers Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty, as the team continues to evaluate its options before the regular season. Tucker, a five-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection, remains a free agent and has not played in an NFL game since the 2024 season. The workout does not mean the Jets have signed him.

Introduction

Justin Tucker is getting another opportunity to return to the NFL.

The former Baltimore Ravens kicker was among three kickers who worked out for the New York Jets on Wednesday, September 2, as the team continues to address an unsettled position less than two weeks before its regular-season opener.

Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty also participated in the workout, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Jets had not publicly announced the tryouts. NFL reporter Jordan Schultz first reported the workout.

The development is significant because Tucker is one of the most accomplished kickers in NFL history, but he has been out of the league since the end of the 2024 season. The Jets are now evaluating whether his experience and previous production make him a viable option for their current roster.

What Happened?

The Jets hosted Tucker, Badgley and Karty at the team's facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, on Wednesday.

The workout came after New York made several recent changes at kicker.

The Jets had initially been working with veteran Jason Sanders after he won the kicking competition over Cade York. However, Sanders struggled in the preseason finale against the New York Giants, missing both a 54-yard field goal and an extra point.

New York subsequently claimed Blake Grupe off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts and released Sanders before later bringing Sanders back onto the practice squad.

Even after that move, the Jets continued looking at other kickers.

That led to the workout involving Tucker, Badgley and Karty.

As of the latest reports, none of the three had been signed by the Jets.

Key Details

• Justin Tucker: 36-year-old former Ravens kicker and five-time first-team All-Pro.
• Michael Badgley: Veteran kicker who has played for several NFL teams.
• Joshua Karty: Former Rams kicker and 2024 sixth-round draft pick.
• Workout date: September 2, 2026.
• Location: New York Jets facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
• Current status: No reported signing resulting from the workout.
• Jets' current option: New York recently claimed Blake Grupe off waivers and has Jason Sanders on its practice squad.
• Regular-season opener: Jets at Tennessee Titans on September 13.

Why Are the Jets Looking at Kickers?

The Jets' decision to work out multiple kickers reflects uncertainty at a position that looked relatively settled earlier in the offseason.

New York entered the preseason with competition between Sanders and York. Sanders ultimately appeared to have the advantage, but his performance in the final preseason game created another question for the coaching staff.

He missed an extra point and a 54-yard field-goal attempt against the Giants.

The Jets then claimed Grupe, who has made 81.9% of his career field-goal attempts, according to reporting on the team's roster moves.

The workout with Tucker, Badgley and Karty indicates that the organization is not relying solely on its current options.

That does not necessarily mean Grupe has lost the job. Instead, the Jets appear to be examining the available market before committing to their final choice.

Background on Justin Tucker

Tucker's résumé is considerably stronger than that of most available kickers.

He spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with Baltimore and established himself as one of the league's most reliable kickers. He earned five first-team All-Pro selections, seven Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship.

Tucker is also ranked third all time in NFL field-goal percentage at 89.1% and has made 417 field goals, placing him 14th on the league's career list, according to Reuters. He also famously made a 66-yard field goal in 2021, which was an NFL record at the time.

His career credentials explain why the Jets would at least consider bringing him in despite the questions surrounding his recent playing history.

However, his last NFL season was 2024.

That creates an obvious football question: how does Tucker look after such a long period away from regular-season action?

A workout can give a team some information, but it does not guarantee that a player will be signed or that he will immediately regain his previous form.

Tucker's Recent NFL Situation

Tucker's absence from the NFL has involved both football and disciplinary issues.

The Ravens released him in May 2025 after allegations of inappropriate behavior during massage-therapy sessions became public. Tucker denied wrongdoing.

The NFL later suspended him for 10 games for violating its personal conduct policy. He served that suspension as a free agent and became eligible to sign with a team after his reinstatement.

Tucker has also had previous opportunities to return.

He worked out for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts after his suspension, but neither team ultimately signed him.

The Jets workout therefore represents another potential route back into the NFL.

It is important, however, to distinguish between a workout and a contract. At this stage, there is no confirmed agreement between Tucker and New York.

What Officials and Reports Said

The Jets did not publicly announce the workout.

The Associated Press reported that Tucker, Badgley and Karty were at the team's facility based on information from a person familiar with the situation. The source spoke anonymously because the team had not announced the workouts.

Jordan Schultz was the first reporter to identify the three kickers involved, and subsequent reports from Reuters, NBC Sports and other outlets independently confirmed the workout.

There has been no official announcement that the Jets have chosen Tucker, nor has the team announced a contract with him.

That leaves the outcome open.

How Tucker Compares With the Other Kickers

Tucker clearly has the strongest résumé of the three players who worked out.

Badgley, 31, has played for six teams and has converted 83.2% of his career field-goal attempts, with a career long of 59 yards. He also has extensive NFL experience.

Karty, 24, is considerably younger. The Rams selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Stanford. He has appeared in 25 NFL games and made 79.6% of his field-goal attempts, with a long of 58 yards.

Tucker brings the most impressive career résumé, but he also carries the biggest question mark regarding his recent football form because he has not kicked in an NFL regular-season game since 2024.

For the Jets, the decision is therefore about more than career statistics.

Why This Matters

The timing makes the kicking position particularly important.

The Jets open their regular season on September 13 against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

That gives New York less than two weeks to settle the position.

A kicker can have a relatively small role in terms of snaps but an outsized effect on the outcome of close games. Field goals and extra points can directly determine whether a team wins or loses.

For the Jets, the immediate priority is finding the player the coaching staff believes can provide the most reliable production.

Tucker's career history makes him an intriguing option. But the team also needs to evaluate his current ability, especially after his extended absence from NFL game action.

What Happens Next?

The most immediate question is whether the Jets decide to sign one of the three kickers who worked out.

As of September 3, there is no confirmed report that Tucker, Badgley or Karty has signed with New York.

The Jets can also continue evaluating Grupe and Sanders.

The team's first regular-season game is scheduled for September 13 against Tennessee, so a decision will have to be made before the opener.

If Tucker is signed, it would mark his return to an NFL roster after more than a year away from the league. If the Jets choose another kicker, Wednesday's workout would simply become part of their broader evaluation process.

For now, the only confirmed development is that Justin Tucker has received another NFL workout opportunity with the Jets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Justin Tucker sign with the New York Jets?

No. The workout does not constitute a signing. The latest reports indicate that Tucker was evaluated by the Jets along with Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty, but no signing had been announced.

When did Justin Tucker work out for the Jets?

Tucker worked out for the Jets on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the team's facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.

Which other kickers worked out with Justin Tucker?

The other two kickers were Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty.

When did Justin Tucker last play in an NFL game?

Tucker last played during the 2024 NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore released him in May 2025.

Why was Justin Tucker suspended?

The NFL suspended Tucker for 10 games for violating its personal conduct policy. The suspension followed allegations of inappropriate behavior during massage-therapy sessions. Tucker denied the allegations.

How accurate is Justin Tucker?

Tucker has made 89.1% of his career field-goal attempts, ranking third all time according to the latest reporting. He has also made 417 career field goals.

Who is currently competing for the Jets' kicking job?

The Jets recently claimed Blake Grupe off waivers and have Jason Sanders on their practice squad. The workout involving Tucker, Badgley and Karty shows that New York continues to evaluate its options.

When do the Jets begin the 2026 regular season?

The Jets open the 2026 regular season on September 13 against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

Sources / Content Source

This article was researched and synthesized from multiple reliable sources, with the most important details cross-checked:

• Associated Press / Washington Post — September 2, 2026 reporting confirming Justin Tucker, Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty worked out for the Jets.
• Reuters — September 2, 2026 report confirming the three-kicker workout and providing Tucker's career statistics and recent NFL history.
• NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk — Reporting on the Jets' kicker search and recent roster moves.
• CBS Sports — Reporting on Tucker's workout and recent NFL status.
• New York Jets official website — 2026 schedule confirming the September 13 season opener at Tennessee.
• NFL official schedule — Confirmation of the Jets-Titans Week 1 matchup.

Content source note: This is an original news synthesis based on the above reporting and official schedule information. The article does not state that Justin Tucker has joined the Jets because no such signing has been confirmed.