NFL Player News

Kelce (back), officially listed as questionable, is expected to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Kelce popped up on the injury report late in the week, though he managed to turn in a full practice session Friday. Given that and the magnitude of the game, it would be surprising to see Kelce sidelined. Even so, it will be worth confirming his status when inactives are released shortly before the 6:30 PM ET kickoff.

Fortson (elbow) was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

It'll be interesting to see how many snaps Fortson actually sees Sunday with both Noah Gray and Blake Bell healthy and in the offensive fold for the Chiefs, but Travis Kelce's (back) late emergence on the injury report Friday could mean the team will safeguard its prized target a bit more. Fortson had just 13 targets across 13 regular-season contests this season.

Kelce (back), who was listed as a full practice participant Friday, is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Though Kelce handled every rep in the Chiefs' final practice of the week, the tight end's official questionable designation makes his status worth tracking ahead of Sunday's 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff. Look for added context regarding Kelce's status to arrive closer to game time, but if he's limited at all versus Cincinnati, added snaps would be available for Noah Gray, Blake Bell and possibly Jody Fortson (elbow), who is a candidate to be activated off IR this weekend.

Hurst (calf) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs after practicing fully Friday.

Hurst proclaimed himself healthy earlier in the day Friday, and his confidence was validated by the official injury report. The starting tight end was a limited participant in practice Thursday, but it appears that limited session was precautionary. Hurst has caught nine of 12 targets for 104 yards, one touchdown and one fumble lost through two games this postseason.

Hurst (calf) is on track to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Coach Zac Taylor relayed that Hurst, who was limited Thursday, had a good practice Friday, which sets the stage for the tight end to be available versus Kansas City. The Bengals' final injury report will clarify both Hurst's participation level Friday, as well as whether or not he carries an official injury designation into the weekend.

The Saints signed Forristall to a reserve/future contract Thursday, per the team's official site.

Forristall is now in line to remain with New Orleans throughout the offseason where he'll compete for one of the team's roster spots come training camp. The 6-foot-5 tight end has appeared in six games for Cleveland across the last two campaigns but has yet to haul in his first career reception.

Hurst (calf) was limited at practice Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

Hurst practiced fully Wednesday, so the tight end's addition to the Bengals' injury report makes his status worth tracking as Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs approaches. He dealt with a calf issue back in December, but it's unclear if his listed limitations Thursday are indicative of a setback in practice or a case of workload management.

Dallas signed Green to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Green, an undrafted tight end out of Houston, signed with Dallas' practice squad in October, but he was cut in mid-December and remained a free agent for the rest of the year. With his new contract, Green will rejoin the Cowboys organization and will be able to compete for a roster spot during the offseason.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Fortson (elbow) has a chance to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Fortson returned to practice ahead of the divisional-round matchup against the Jaguars, but he ultimately remained on injured reserve and missed a fourth straight game due to an elbow injury. Reid said Fortson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) could both be back in the fold this Sunday, but the tight end seems to be further along in his recovery from injury than the running back. Fortson, who caught nine of 13 targets for 108 yards and two scores across 13 regular-season appearances, will likely have only a minimal role on offense Sunday if he's brought back from IR prior to the game.

Mundt caught 19 of 21 targets for 140 yards and a touchdown while playing in all 17 games during the 2022 regular season.

Mundt saw by far the most extensive playing time of his career after following Vikings first-year coach Kevin O'Connell to Minnesota this past offseason. The 28-year-old tight end also accumulated more receptions and receiving yards than he did over the first six seasons of his career with the Rams. Mundt still finished the season in a reserve role behind prolific receiving tight end T.J. Hockenson, who was acquired via trade from Detroit midway through the season. With 2019 second-round pick Irv Smith currently set to become a free agent this offseason, Mundt could be in line to serve as Minnesota's No. 2 tight end in 2023.