Chiefs injuries piling up. Here’s latest on Jody Fortson, L’Jarius Sneed, Justyn Ross
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid begins every training camp news conference with an injury update, typically taking a few seconds to review the status of players who weren’t on the practice field.
That ended up being a more significant undertaking Tuesday, as Reid spoke about eight players recently affected.
Most notably: Reid announced that the Chiefs were placing tight end Jody Fortson on season-ending injured reserve after Fortson had a procedure done on his shoulder, which he injured early in training camp.
Fortson, 27, was entering his third season with the Chiefs. The 6-foot-4 tight end had been a red-zone weapon in the past, catching 14 passes for 155 yards with four touchdowns the last two seasons combined.
The Chiefs also waived cornerback Anthony Witherstone with an injury settlement after he sprained a toe in Sunday’s preseason loss to the Saints. In Fortson and Witherstone’s place, the Chiefs added linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi and cornerback Duron Lowe to Tuesday’s roster.
Reid had other injuries to discuss, too, as three receivers left practice early Tuesday: Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio and Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
Reid said Ross left with a knee/hamstring injury and would be further checked out by trainers. Ross was seen walking around after the injury before he departed practice.
“We’ll just have to see how it is,” Reid said.
Remigio, who led the Chiefs with four catches for 71 yards Sunday, dislocated his shoulder during a diving catch Tuesday. Smith-Marsette, meanwhile, left the workout with a groin injury, Reid said.
The Chiefs were still awaiting more information on seventh-round cornerback Nic Jones, who fractured fingers during Sunday’s game against the Saints. Jones was set to see a hand specialist Tuesday, with Reid hoping to learn more about Jones’ status in the next 24 hours.
Reid sounded optimistic that a pair of defensive veterans could be returning soon. That included safety Mike Edwards, whose ankle swelled up after he was stepped on during the Saints game. Reid said precautionary ankle X-rays showed no further damage.
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who has sat out most of training camp with a lingering knee injury, also should be fine, Reid said.
“We’re taking that slow,” Reid said of Sneed’s knee. “But we’ll get him back here sooner than later.”
