'He's such a good dude' – Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sends support to injured teammate
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson tore his ACL and meniscus during last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Fortson was placed on injured reserve earlier this week, ending his season. Unfortunately, his six-year NFL career has been defined by injuries. Joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Fortson spent […]
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson tore his ACL and meniscus during last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fortson was placed on injured reserve earlier this week, ending his season. Unfortunately, his six-year NFL career has been defined by injuries. Joining the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Fortson spent his first two years on the team's practice squad.
He made the active 53-man roster in 2021, but his season was cut short when he tore his Achilles. In 2022 he battled through numerous ailments and his season ended prematurely once again with an elbow injury. Fortson then missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a shoulder injury during training camp.
While speaking to the media on Thursday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke about how tough it has been seeing Fortson have such bad luck with injuries.
“It’s extremely tough just because you know how hard he’s worked to get back from the injuries that he’s had in the past, and he’s such a good dude," Mahomes said. "I mean, he’ll do whatever to be on that football field. He’s one of those guys where you’re like, ‘Go block the middle linebacker’ and he’ll go block the middle linebacker. He’ll do whatever it takes to help your team win. You feel terrible. In the locker room after, somewhat getting the news, you don’t know for sure but you kind of know. You know how much it means for him and it means a lot for us for him to be out there. Obviously, it’s terrible news but at the same time, I know the human, I know the person and I know (that) he’ll continue to fight back and give himself another opportunity to get back out on that football field.”
Fortson will go down as one of the biggest "what ifs" in recent Chiefs history. When healthy, Fortson displayed excellent receiving and blocking skills. At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, he was a huge mismatch for opposing defenders and a weapon near the goal line.
Fortson has 15 career receptions for 160 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games played. He re-signed with Kansas City in late September after a short stint with the Miami Dolphins during training camp and preseason. Upon his return, the Chiefs leaned in to using 14 personnel (four tight ends), which they had a lot of success with.
The Chiefs could sign tight end Peyton Hendershot from the practice squad onto their active roster to replace Fortson, but that remains to be seen. It appears for now that they'll roll with who they have, which includes Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley. As for Fortson, hopefully the 28-year-old can make yet another comeback and extend his career.
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