KC Chiefs reunite with veteran tight end who knows how to get into the end zone

Another old friend alert has sounded for the Chiefs.

Jody Fortson, who spent three seasons with the Chiefs before becoming a free agent after last season, was in the team’s locker room Thursday. But he wasn’t just greeting friends. Wearing No. 89, Fortson also participated in practice.

Fortson’s signing to the practice squad comes the same week that the Chiefs reunited with running back Kareem Hunt, who played with KC in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Fortson was with the Chiefs for two seasons and was productive in his 19 games. In 2021, he appeared in six and caught five passes. Two went for touchdowns, the other three for first downs.

In 2022, he caught nine passes in 13 games. Two went for scores, six for first downs. He also played in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

But Fortson couldn’t seem to stay healthy in Kansas City. He was placed on injured reserve three times, including in 2023, when he didn’t play a game because of a shoulder injury.

Fortson signed with the Dolphins in March but didn’t make Miami’s final 53-man roster.

The Chiefs now have three tight ends on their active roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and rookie Jared Wiley.

Peyton Hendershot is a member of the Chiefs’ practice squad.