Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Signed to Chiefs' active roster
Rotowire
Kansas City signed Fortson from the practice squad to the active roster Friday.
Fortson joined the Chiefs' practice squad Sept. 26 after being cut by the Dolphins towards the end of training camp. The 28-year-old will serve as the No. 4 tight end behind Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley. Fortson last played in 2022 with the Chiefs, during which he registered nine catches (on 13 targets) for 108 yards and two touchdowns over 13 regular-season games.
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Jody Fortson: Cut loose by Dolphins
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Miami released Fortson on Sunday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Fortson missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery prior to the start of the campaign. He signed a contract with the Dolphins this March and caught two of three targets for 20 yards during the exhibition slate but won't make the roster cut. Fortson could still end up on the team's practice squad.
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Dolphins' Jody Fortson: Inking in Miami
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The Dolphins are signing Fortson (shoulder) to a contract Thursday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Fortson spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve with the Chiefs after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he should be healthy by the time Miami's offseason activities begin. A fifth-year pro capable of contributing as a rotational piece, Fortson will provide depth for the Dolphins behind Durham Smythe and fellow offseason addition Jonnu Smith.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Likely done for season
Rotowire
Fortson (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.
Fortson suffered the injury during practice in late July. It's still unclear what the specific issue is, but head coach Andy Reid said the Valdosta State product would be getting his shoulder "done." He'll now miss the 2023 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team and is able to get back to full health before the season comes to an end.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Fortson (shoulder) won't play in Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, Pete Sweeney of SB Nation reports.
Fortson has been battling a shoulder injury during training camp and will remain sidelined for the team's first exhibition contest. The backup tight end will likely have to practice at some point next week if he's going to be cleared for next Saturday's preseason game in Arizona.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Missing practice
Rotowire
Fortson (shoulder) is not practicing Sunday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Fortson suffered the injury during training camp Friday, and it appears it's still affecting him enough to keep him sidelined. He'll continue working to heal up and take the field for their next practice.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Suffers shoulder injury in practice
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Fortson (shoulder) left practice Friday after sustaining an injury during 11-on-11 drills, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Fortson came up in pain and grasping his arm after linebacker Cole Christiansen landed on him during an 11-on-11 play. Head coach Andy Reid said Friday that Fortson hurt his shoulder on the play, though the severity of the injury has yet to be confirmed.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Suffers arm injury
Rotowire
Fortson (arm) left practice Friday during 11-on-11 team drills, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Fortson looked to be in serious pain after linebacker Cole Christiansen rolled on top of him during a play. Fortson jogged off the field grasping his right arm and later left the field on a cart. Fortson signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Chiefs in June after spending last season on both special teams and on offense as the No. 3 tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Signs on dotted line
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Fortson signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Chiefs on Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Forston will officially return to Kansas City for his third season. The 27-year-old made nine receptions on 13 targets last year for 108 yards and two touchdowns. He'll likely be working to earn a role on special teams and as the team's No. 3 or 4 tight end in 2023.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Receives tender
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Fortson, an exclusive-rights free agent, was tendered by Kansas City on Tuesday, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.
He split his 356 snaps almost equally between offense and special teams last year. As the No. 3 tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, there weren't many looks left over for Fortson, resulting in 14 catches on 18 targets over the last two seasons, although he did score four TDs. He should continue to fill a similar role in 2023.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Remains on IR
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Fortson (elbow) wasn't activated from injured reserve Friday and won't play in Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Jaguars, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
As expected, Fortson will miss a fourth straight game due to a subluxated elbow. He returned to practice this week and appears to be trending in the right direction, so the backup tight end could be available for a potential AFC Championship Game if Kansas City advances.
Head coach Andy Reid said Thursday that Fortson (elbow) is "probably not" going to be activated for Saturday's AFC divisional-round matchup against the Jaguars, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.
Despite being designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, it currently sounds like Fortson is on track to miss a fourth consecutive matchup due to a subluxated elbow. Should that eventually be the case, Noah Gray and Blake Bell are both slated to receive rotational tight end snaps behind All-Pro selection Travis Kelce this weekend.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Designated to return from IR
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Fortson (elbow) was designated to return from injured reserve and will practice Tuesday, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.
Fortson missed the final three regular-season games due to a subluxated elbow, but he'll return to practice this week and have a shot to play in Saturday's divisional-round matchup against Jacksonville. Across 13 appearances, the backup tight end caught nine of 13 targets for 108 yards and two scores, but he played more on special teams (181 snaps) than he did on offense (175).
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Deemed out Week 16
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Fortson (elbow) will not play in Saturday's game against the Seahawks.
Fortson did not participate during Week 16 prep while dealing with a subluxed elbow, which could keep him sidelined for multiple games. While there's still no timeline for the 27-year-old's return, his next opportunity to play will come versus Denver on Sunday, Jan. 1. With Fortson sidelined, Kansas City could be left short handed behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray if veteran tight end Blake Bell (hip) is not activated from IR before Saturday.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Unlikely to play Saturday
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Fortson is unlikely to play Saturday against the Seahawks due to an elbow injury and could be sidelined for multiple weeks, Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride reports.
Head coach Andy Reid said Tuesday that Fortson didn't practice Tuesday because his elbow subluxated. The extent of the injury remains unclear, but it sounds likely Fortson could miss at least one game. However, on a positive note, the Chiefs designated Blake Bell (hip) to return from IR Tuesday, so he could help fill some of the backup tight end duties if Fortson is out for an extended period.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Just 10 snaps in Week 14
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Fortson went without a target while playing 10 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-28 win over the Broncos.
After drawing a season-high three targets in the Chiefs' Week 12 win over the Rams, Fortson has largely fallen out of the game plan over the subsequent two weeks. He's been targeted just once while playing 20 snaps on offense the past two games, with Fortson picking up more reps on special teams during that stretch. Fortson looks to be the clear No. 3 option at tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Draws season-high three targets
Rotowire
Fortson was on the field for 17 of the Chiefs' 76 snaps on offense and recorded two receptions for 26 yards on three targets in Sunday's 26-10 win over the Rams.
Seven-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce remains the Chiefs' top tight end and the top fantasy producer at the position in the NFL, but backups Noah Gray and Fortson haven't been complete nonentities in the passing game. Even though Gray and Fortson are utilized mostly as blockers when on the field, they've combined to produce 26 receptions, 277 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns through Kansas City's first 11 games. Neither Gray nor Fortson is likely to see his role expand much from its current level, however, so long as Kelce remains available.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Gets in full practice
Rotowire
Fortson (quadriceps) participated fully at practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game versus Jacksonville.
Fortson was forced to miss Monday night's win versus Tennessee with a quad injury, but it appears he should be ready to roll again for Week 10. As long as Travis Kelce is also healthy though, Fortson probably won't see enough work to be a viable fantasy option in most formats.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Won't practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Fortson won't practice Wednesday due to a quadricep contusion, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
The Chiefs are coming off a bye, so it's a little concerning to see Fortson appear on the injury report Wednesday. The severity of the quadricep contusion remains unclear, but he'll have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his availability for Sunday's matchup against Tennessee.
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Chiefs' Jody Fortson: Records second touchdown
Rotowire
Fortson turned his lone target into a 10-yard touchdown reception in Sunday's 41-31 win over the Buccaneers.
All three of Kansas City's tight ends finished with touchdowns on the night, as top option Travis Kelce scored on a 16-yard connection with Patrick Mahomes in the first quarter, while Noah Gray took a direct snap for a one-yard score in the second quarter. Fortson then provided the Chiefs' final touchdown of the night in the third quarter, marking the second time he's found the end zone this season. He's now scored on both of his receptions this season, but he's drawn just three targets in total through four games.
