Chiefs’ Travis Kelce fined for gesture, Denver’s Von Miller not punished for hit

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was fined $11,025 for the obscene gesture he made in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ 29-16 loss to Denver on Sunday, according to the NFL.

But Denver linebacker Von Miller will not be fined for the hit on Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith that precipitated Kelce’s gesture.

NBC’s cameras caught Kelce making a gesture with his hand after Miller was whistled for a 15-yard penalty for the late hit on Smith. Kelce later explained on Twitter that his gesture was directed toward Miller, and called his hit — Miller drove his helmet into the back of Smith — a “cheap” shot.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid called the gesture an “immature act,” and a league spokesman said Kelce was fined for “inappropriate conduct.”

Gordon ready to contribute

One player particularly happy to be with the team this week is tight end Richard Gordon.

Gordon, a fourth-year tight end, spent the entire offseason with the Chiefs and even survived the final cut day in August, only to learn the next day that he’d be cut to make room for defensive end Damion Square.

“I went to practice (that day) and everything,” Gordon said. “It’s tough, but it’s the job.”

Gordon signed with the Tennessee Titans in October and started two games but did not log any stats. He was released a week ago to make room for outside linebacker Kaelin Burnett, but was quickly snapped up by the Chiefs, who released tight end Phillip Supernaw to make room for Gordon.

“You just move on and I moved on and did what I was supposed to do,” Gordon said. “Obviously I did something well to get back (here) … as soon as I left Tennessee I got a call from here.”

Gordon, who is listed at 6 feet 4 and 268 pounds, joined the Chiefs last December and caught one pass for 3 yards with the team. He is familiar with the scheme, which means he could help the Chiefs get back to the three-tight end sets they favored before Demetrius Harris’ season-ending injury a month ago.

“Well, I think a guy like Richard — again, a veteran guy, he’s a smart guy, he’s been in our system here recently,” offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “It will allow us to get into our three-tight end set a little bit. We’ve used Anthony Sherman a little bit in that situation. The more he gets comfortable and the more he hears our offense again, the more we can get him in the ballgame.”

Hemingway, Bailey out

The Chiefs will be without receiver Junior Hemingway and defensive end Allen Bailey against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday due to concussions, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.

Hemingway suffered a concussion a few weeks ago in a loss to Oakland, while Bailey suffered his concussion against the Broncos on Sunday.

Hemingway, who opened the season as the Chiefs’ starting slot receiver, has 12 catches for 108 yards this season. His primary replacement Sunday was veteran wideout Jason Avant, who had recently been released by the Panthers. In his first game as a Chief, Avant had two catches for 30 yards on four targets.

Reid declined to name the replacement for the 25-year-old Bailey, who recently agreed to a four-year, $25 million extension with the Chiefs and has set career highs in tackles (37) and sacks (four). But top backups Kevin Vickerson (eight tackles) and Vance Walker (eight tackles, 1 1/2 sacks) figure to be the next men up.

Thirteen other Chiefs are listed on the team’s final injury report before their showdown against Arizona, but all are probable — which means they are expected to play.

Linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) and tight end Anthony Fasano (knee) were limited Friday.

Guard Mike McGlynn (quad), receiver Donnie Avery (groin), running back Jamaal Charles (knee), punter Dustin Colquitt (right calf), cornerback Jamell Fleming (hamstring), linebacker Dee Ford (quad), linebacker James-Michael Johnson (back/knee), linebacker Josh Mauga (back), cornerback Chris Owens (knee), cornerback Sean Smith (groin) and linebacker Joe Mays (knee) were all full participants in Friday’s practice.

This story was originally published December 5, 2014 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Chiefs’ Travis Kelce fined for gesture, Denver’s Von Miller not punished for hit."