Free agent tight end Jody Fortson has officially signed with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, as reported by Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest on September 26.
“TE Jody Fortson is back with the Chiefs on the practice squad, per source. He returned to Kansas City last night and is in the locker room this morning,” Derrick shared on X, formerly Twitter.
To accommodate Fortson, the Chiefs placed Baylor Cupp on the practice squad injured list, according to Derrick. Fortson will wear the No. 89 jersey for Kansas City.
At 27 years old, Fortson entered the NFL undrafted in 2019 from Valdosta State. Initially joining the Chiefs as a wide receiver, he transitioned to tight end in 2021 on the recommendation of the coaching staff, leading to his first spot on the active roster that same year.
Over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Fortson participated in 19 regular season games, tallying 14 receptions on 18 targets for 155 yards and four touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
In August 2023, Fortson suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery, placing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
After joining the Miami Dolphins in May and participating in training camp and the preseason, Fortson was released on August 25.
The Chiefs’ tight end room now features Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley, Peyton Hendershot, and Fortson across both the practice squad and active roster.
Reactions from X users regarding Fortson’s return to the two-time defending Super Bowl champions have been enthusiastic. One user expressed, “Love that Jody is back. He has unlocked potential; hopefully, Andy [Reid] can find the key to get him involved.”
Another user joked, “Is Jody Fortson about to get his 4th ring while never playing a full season in an active roster spot? Seriously, I’m rooting for him to succeed!” Others commented on Reid’s tendency to support struggling players, indicating hope for Fortson’s future.
“I’ve always believed he was on the brink of a breakout season but was held back by injuries,” another user noted, expressing optimism for this signing.
“Travis [Kelce] once said on New Heights that Jody Fortson was the most impressive player to ever join the Chiefs. His combination of height, speed, and ability was remarkable,” another fan added, emphasizing the potential he has yet to fully realize.
As the Chiefs prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, this signing could prove beneficial for their tight end strategy. The matchup is set for Sunday, September 29, at 3:25 p.m. Central Time, and will be broadcast on CBS.
