![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2187768120-e1735086564641.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780\")
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If you want to sum up the decline in All-Pro kicker\u00a0Justin Tucker\u2019<\/a>s game during what\u2019s been a trying 2024 NFL season, consider how the seven-time Pro Bowler has lost a key role for the\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tucker is no longer trusted to handle kickoffs, and the 35-year-old is alright with the change, but he wouldn\u2019t say no to more work. Instead, Tucker has been made to watch punter\u00a0Jordan Stout<\/a>\u00a0handle a core part of his responsibilities.<\/p>\n To his credit, Tucker has taken a team-first attitude to help him cope with the change. The veteran admitted, \u201cAs a competitor, I wanna be out there all the time,\u201d\u00a0per Ravens Vault co-host Bobby Trosset, but Tucker also knows how Stout taking kickoffs can help the Ravens.<\/p>\n Specifically, the five-time first-team All-Pro conceded, \u201cJordan does have this ability to hammer the ball. If that gives us the best opportunity to spot the ball on the 30-yard line, then I\u2019m all for it. \u2026 As a competitor, I wanna be out there for every single rep possible. But as a teammate, I wanna see us succeed. As a Raven, I wanna see the Ravens win. And that\u2019s what\u2019s important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Tucker\u2019s right to ultimately defer to what works best for his team. Especially since his struggles converting kicks this season have left the Ravens searching for a new working formula in an area they had long been able to take for granted.<\/p>\n To say this hasn\u2019t been the easiest season for Tucker would be an understatement. He\u2019s made\u00a021 of 29 field goals, for a\u00a072.4 percent success rate, easiest the lowest of his career to date.<\/p>\n There have been other problems, like the 13-year pro also missing a\u00a0pair of extra points. Tucker\u2019s sudden bout of inaccuracy has cost the Ravens games. Notably, against the\u00a0Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13, when No. 9 let seven points go to waste.<\/p>\n The aftermath of that bad day at the office saw prominent Ravens like head coach John Harbaugh and quarterback\u00a0Lamar Jackson<\/a>\u00a0rush to\u00a0defend Tucker<\/a>. Even six-time Super Bowl-winning former\u00a0New England Patriots<\/a>\u00a0head coach Bill Belichick shared his thoughts on how to\u00a0fix Tucker\u2019s problems<\/a>.<\/p>\n Rather than make any specific technical changes, the Ravens have been content to let Tucker work through his issues on the practice field and in games. It\u2019s why the decision to let Stout take charge of kickoffs makes sense.<\/p>\n The move has taken one thing off Tucker\u2019s plate. Leaving him free to fully focus on correcting accuracy with kicks that yield points.<\/p>\n An added bonus has come from Stout\u2019s ability to handle the new responsibility. He\u2019s averaged 64 yards on four kickoffs and boomed three for touchbacks, per\u00a0Pro Football Reference<\/a>.<\/p>\n This switch has worked for the Ravens, and the special teams could be in store for another change.<\/p>\n That change could come in the return game. It\u2019s an area boosted by the\u00a0recent acquisition of a wide receiver<\/a>\u00a0with a proven track record for scoring runbacks.<\/p>\n The newcomer could be thrust into action sooner than expected. Particularly since the Ravens have been quiet about the status of cornerback\u00a0Desmond King<\/a>, who lost two punts during Week 16\u2019s 34-17 win over the\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a>.<\/p>\n King would need to be elevated from the practice squad for the Christmas Day game against the\u00a0Houston Texans<\/a>. Nothing has been officially announced, according to\u00a0Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic<\/a>, despite Harbaugh indicating King would continue to handle returner\u2019s chores.<\/p>\nJustin Tucker Dealing With Change Amid Difficult Times<\/h2>\n
Ravens Not Done Making Changes on Special Teams<\/h2>\n