Chiefs TE Blake Bell designated to return from IR | KCSN Daily 12.20
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The Chiefs are set to get a player back that they’ve been missing all season long and it comes just in the nick of time. On Tuesday, the team officially designated TE Blake Bell to return from injured reserve. The eighth-year veteran was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 1 after suffering a hip flexor injury during the first week of the preseason.
Bell’s activation comes on a day when Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed that TE Jody Fortson suffered a dislocated elbow in Week 15.
“Jody Fortson has an elbow – his elbow subluxed, so he won’t practice today either,” Reid said. “He’ll struggle to make it to the game as we go forward. (He’s a) tough kid, but he got banged up pretty good.”
Bell has appeared in 37 career games (including postseason) for the Chiefs across the 2019 and 2021 seasons, catching 21 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. He’s been utilized more as a blocker during his tenure in Kansas City as opposed to working as a receiver. There’s also the work that he’s done in place of QB Patrick Mahomes on QB sneaks, which is much-needed given the team’s lack of success in short-yardage situations this season.
KC Laboratory - What we learned from Chiefs' performance vs. Texans:
KCSN’s Kent Swanson, Craig Stout, and Matt Lane break down the Kansas City Chiefs' performance vs. the Houston Texans and what they can take from it moving forward.
Wednesday Injury Report:
Chiefs:
DNP: DT Chris Jones (Illness), DT Khalen Saunders (Illness), DE Mike Danna (Illness), and TE Jody Fortson (Elbow).
LP: None.
FP: WR Kadarius Toney (Hamstring), DB Nazeeh Johnson (Hamstring), CB L’Jarius Sneed (Calf), DT Derrick Nnadi (Achilles), TE Noah Gray (Shoulder), OT Lucas Niang (Knee), and RB Isiah Pacheco (Shoulder).
Seahawks
DNP: RB Kenneth Walker (Ankle), RB DeeJay Dallas (Ankle), TE Noah Fant (Knee), WR Tyler Lockett (Hand), S Ryan Neal (Knee), NT Al Woods (Achilles), and LB Darrell Taylor (Illness).
LP: None.
FP: WR Marquise Goodwin (Wrist), OT Abraham Lucas (Elbow), LB Bruce Irvin (Knee/Heel), LB Jordyn Brooks (Neck), S Quandre Diggs (Shoulder), and LB Tanner Muse (Ankle).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related).
Notes:
Remember, the Chiefs are not required to list the practice participation of WR Mecole Hardman or TE Blake Bell until they have been activated to the 53-man roster.
Other Transactions:
12/20 - Signed to Bears 53-man roster - LB Elijah Lee (Read more here).
12/20 - Signed to Chiefs’ practice squad - TE Matt Bushman (Read more here).
KCSN Update:
KCSN’s BJ Kissel sits down with Seth Keysor to talk about his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Houston Texans and the ongoing conversation around the Chiefs special teams and the new details coming out about the holds on Harrison Butker's kicks.
Quotable:
“Yeah, I loved his energy on the sideline. He got a total of 10 plays with the special teams involved, which is good – and he feels good, so we just take it gradually. Like Mecole (Hardman) when he gets back in the flow, just take it gradually and we’ll see if we can keep both of them rolling.” - Andy Reid on Kadarius Toney
“They’re explosive, man. They’ve got a rookie running back (Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III) from Michigan State. That guy’s a ball player, man. I’ve kind of watched his tape a lot. I watched him a lot when he was in college and then watched him a lot these past couple of days and he’s a good football player along with (Seahawks WR) DK Metcalf, on the outside, (Seahawks WR) Tyler Lockett and (Seahawks QB) Geno’s (Smith) done a hell of a job – especially boot legs, getting out in perimeter (and) extending plays with his legs. Again, they’ve got a great offense, great challenge for us.” - Nick Bolton on the Seahawks offense
Quick Hits:
From Harrison Butker: Chiefs K Harrison Butker responded to recent criticism of Tommy Townsend’s job as a holder from former Chiefs P Dustin Colquitt. 810 WHB’s Darren Smith shared a video from the locker room discussion.
From Mecole Hardman: Chiefs WR Mecole Harman was out in the community this week. He joined Maple Hills Middle School’s adaptive physical education class on Monday, talking with students and playing basketball before passing out gifts to teachers.
From Ronald Jones: Chiefs RB Ronald Jones and his foundation made a generous contribution to a local school. They donated funds to build a new playground at Morse Early Chidlooh Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
Important dates ahead:
Saturday, Dec. 24 at Noon CT - Week 16: Chiefs vs. Seahawks - GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City, Missouri
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