The Kansas City Chiefs made the decision this season to bring back a number of familiar faces, especially on the offensive side, in an effort to bolster some positions for a tough long season ahead chasing a third consecutive Super Bowl. Unfortunately one of those players went down with a serious leg injury in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs watched tight end Jody Fortson go down with a concerning leg injury late in the game as the Raiders were attempting a final onside kick in order to come away with the ball and one final possession with which they’d try to tie the Chiefs.
The Chiefs lost Jody Fortson to a leg injury while trying to come down with the ball on an onside attempt.
Following the game, head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media and said that Fortson had a right knee injury and that he was going to undergo further tests after seeking post-game treatment from the Chiefs training staff. More details will likely be known on Monday.
Fortson returned to the Chiefs in September after a stint with the Miami Dolphins didn’t last as long as expected. The Fins signed Fortson away in free agency last spring, but they ended up releasing him a week before active roster cuts were due when it was clear he wasn’t going to make the team. From there, the Chiefs brought him back after deciding against keeping Irv Smith around as TE4.
Fortson was a rarely-utilized offensive piece, however, who only played in three games so far this season for the Chiefs (Week 8 included). He had a single missed target on Sunday against the Raiders and only caught one pass before that—for a mere five yards.
Still, Fortson has been a fan favorite in years past as a potential red zone weapon who always had a difficult time staying healthy for the franchise. As a former undrafted free agent from Valdosta State, Fortson was easy for fans to root for as an underdog who was loved by the coaching staff. Unfortunately he could never put it all together in the regular season despite the clear potential.
Fortson, who first came to Kansas City before the 2019 season, has 15 catches for 160 yards and 4 scores in his six-year NFL career.
