Chiefs to Place Jody Fortson on IR, Team Has Multiple Training Camp Injuries
Following a day off on Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs got back to work at training camp in St. Joseph, MO on Tuesday morning.
Unfortunately for the team, however, its injury situation got worse instead of better by the end of practice. The Chiefs not only lost three players during camp on Tuesday, but they're also set to be without another for an extended period. Head coach Andy Reid provided some update following practice.
Jody Fortson to have shoulder worked on, going on injured reserve list
The Chiefs signed cornerback Duron Lowe and linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi to the club's roster on Tuesday, and one corresponding move was waiving rookie defensive back Anthony Witherstone. When asked about the second required move in order to make room for the two additions, Reid revealed that tight end Jody Fortson is getting having a procedure done on his shoulder and is going on the injured reserve list. Because it happened before the start of the regular season, this means that Fortson's 2023 campaign is over.
Fortson is no stranger to IR, as he went on the list late last season and has spent time on it at previous points in his career as well. The 27-year-old pass-catcher played in 13 games this past season for the Chiefs, recording career-high marks in receptions (9) and yards (108) while tying his personal best with two touchdowns. This injury is yet another unfortunate one for the Valdosta State product, and it places additional emphasis on the possibility of Kansas City carrying three — or potentially even two — tight ends on the initial 53-man roster.
Justyn Ross, multiple other receivers leave Tuesday's practice
Piling on to the Chiefs' laundry list of injuries, three wide receivers had their days cut short. Tuesday saw wideouts Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio and Ihmir Smith-Marsette depart camp practice for various reasons. Reid didn't have a ton of detail on Ross at the time but described his ailment as a knee, hamstring or potentially even a shin issue. he was spotted leaving practice on a cart, albeit riding in the front seat. Smith-Marsette strained his groin and Remigio suffered a dislocated shoulder. According to Reid, Remigio's shoulder is back in place.
UPDATE: Ross returned to practice on Wednesday morning, sporting a sleeve of sorts on his left leg.
Chiefs awaiting news on rookie cornerback Nic Jones
Reid said rookie cornerback Nic Jones, who fractured multiple fingers on his left hand in Sunday's preseason loss to the New Orleans Saints, was seeing a specialist on Tuesday to determine the severity and possible recovery plan for his injury. Elsewhere in the secondary, safety Mike Edwards had some swelling in his foot/ankle area but Reid said initial imaging looked good. Edwards was at practice on Tuesday, but he wasn't wearing pads or a helmet and he didn't participate.
