Blake Bell

Kansas City Chiefs
Tight End #84
Kansas City Chiefs
Tight End #84

Blake Bell News

Activated from injured reserve

The Chiefs activated Bell (hip) from injured reserve Friday.

Analysis: Bell, who's yet to play this year while rehabbing from hip surgery, was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday and has been added to the active roster Friday. He's on track to make his season debut Saturday against the Seahawks, but fantasy mangers are still encouraged to confirm his status ahead of kickoff. If he's indeed available, he'll likely assume the backup role behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray that was previously held by Jody Fortson, who's been placed on injured reserve with an an elbow injury.

Dec 23, 2022 11:33 AM EST


Could suit up Week 16

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that he feels "pretty good" that Bell (hip) will be activated from IR ahead of Saturday's game against the Seahawks, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: Bell was placed on IR after undergoing surgery to address a hip flexor injury in late August. The 31-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, and it appears he could be ready to suit up again at the earliest possible opportunity Week 16. Bell caught nine passes for 87 yards over 16 regular-season games last season, With Jody Fortson (elbow) already ruled out against Seattle, Bell could immediately step back in as the Chiefs' No. 3 tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.

Dec 22, 2022 2:31 PM EST



Designated to return from IR

The Chiefs designated Bell (hip) to return from injured reserve Tuesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Analysis: Bell practiced Tuesday for the first time this season, which begins a 21-day window for him to be added to the active roster. It's unclear if he'll suit up in Week 16, but if he's available, he could help replace the potential absence of Jody Fortson, who's unlikely to play against the Seahawks due to an elbow injury, per head coach Andy Reid, Pete Sweeny of Arrowhead Pride reports.

Dec 20, 2022 2:22 PM EST


Return timeline still unclear

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Bell (hip) is close to a return but added the tight end could also be sidelined for a couple more weeks, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: Bell began the campaign on IR following surgery to repair a hip flexor injury he suffered in late August and has remained sidelined since. While Reid's comments about the tight end being close to a return are encouraging, the head coach had a similar sentiment ahead of Kansas City's Week 8 bye, but Bell still remains on IR to start Week 9. It sounds like the Chiefs expect the tight end to return this season, but they don't appear to be in any rush to get him back on the active roster.

Nov 2, 2022 10:35 AM EST


Nearing return

Bell (hip) could return after the team's Week 8 bye, according to head coach Andy Reid, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: Bell was placed on IR on Sept. 5 after undergoing surgery to repair a hip flexor injury he suffered in late August. A timetable for his return was previously unknown, but he's already surpassed the minimum four-week stay on injured reserve. So, as soon as he's feeling healthy enough to get back on the field, he'll be eligible.

Oct 19, 2022 12:27 PM EST



Placed on injured reserve

The Chiefs placed Bell (hip) on injured reserve Monday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Analysis: Bell underwent surgery to address a hip flexor injury in late August and doesn't yet have a timetable for his return, but he'll be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season. Once the 2015 fourth-rounder is back to full health, he's expected to serve as depth at tight end behind Travis Kelce.

Sep 5, 2022 3:08 PM EST


Expected to start season on IR

Bell (hip) is expected to make the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster then be placed on IR, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Analysis: Bell's placement on IR won't be season-ending due to him making Kansas City's initial 53-man roster, but he will be required to miss at least the first four games of the season once the move is made official. Once healthy, Bell is expected to handle an important depth role behind Travis Kelce.

Aug 30, 2022 11:35 AM EST


Dealing with "unusual" injury

Bell (hip) has no timetable for his return.

Analysis: Bell suffered a hip flexor injury in the Chiefs' preseason opener, which ultimately led to him undergoing surgery. Head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that it's an "unusual" injury and that he doesn't expect to see Bell on the field in the near future. The tight end could potentially end up on injured reserve next week, a move that Reid did not rule out.

Aug 24, 2022 8:15 AM EST


Undergoes hip procedure

Bell recently underwent surgery to address his hip flexor injury, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: While a timetable for Bell's return hasn't been outlined, it seems likely he'll miss regular-season time. In his absence, Noah Grayand Jody Fortson are next up for tight end reps behind the team's clear-cut top option at the position, Travis Kelce.

Aug 23, 2022 10:01 AM EST


Remains sidelined with hip flexor

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Bell (hip) didn't practice Monday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

Analysis: Bell was carted off the field during Saturday's preseason contest due to the hip flexor injury, but the severity of the issue remains unclear. In his absence, Noah Gray and Jody Fortson are candidates for increased roles behind Travis Kelce.

Aug 15, 2022 9:57 AM EST


Injures hip

Bell (hip) was carted off during Saturday's preseason contest against the Bears and is questionable to return, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: The backup tight end was pushing to be involved more in the offense after consecutive seasons under 400 offensive snaps. Noah Gray and Jody Fortson should see more playing time in Bell's absence.

Aug 13, 2022 11:04 AM EST


Remains in Kansas City

Bell signed a one-year contract with Kansas City on Thursday.

Analysis: Bell appeared in 16 games for the Chiefs last year and secured nine of 13 targets for 87 yards while rushing four times for 10 yards. He's unlikely to play a significant role in the team's offense as long as Travis Kelce remains healthy.

Mar 24, 2022 12:00 PM EST


Closes out 2021 on quiet note

Bell was not targeted on his 21 offensive snaps in the regular-season finale versus the Broncos.

Analysis: The Belldozer compiled just nine total catches for 87 yards on 13 targets during the 2021 season and has just two seasons total with double-digit receptions. He still The veteran tight end still hasn't caught a touchdown pass in his career and enters the offseason set to become an unrestricted free agent following a one-year deal. With Noah Gray developing behind Travis Kelce, Bell may be ticketed for a spot elsewhere in 2022.

Jan 14, 2022 2:23 PM EST


Four touches in Week 17

Bell hauled in all of his three targets for 35 yards and rushed once for a pair of yards in Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Analysis: Bell's rush came in the form of a fourth-down trick play in which he motioned under center and took what was essentially a quarterback sneak for the first down. Bell has some experience under center from his college days but doesn't figure to be utilized in that capacity very often, rushing just four times all season. He also finished with a season-high three catches in the contest, though the 36 p recent offensive snap count aligns with what he's seen all season and would suggest this is most likely an outlier.

Jan 4, 2022 12:17 PM EST


One grab in Week 16

Bell compiled just one catch for 11 yards on his lone target Sunday versus the Steelers.

Analysis: Bell has no more than one catch in a game this season and has more than one target just once and that didn't change even with Travis Kelce (COVID-19 protocols) out for the contest. Noah Gray benefited a little more, but neither tight end factored much into the equation. That is unlikely to change anytime soon, especially if Travis Kelce is part of the mix again moving forward.

Dec 28, 2021 6:20 PM EST


Returns from reserve/COVID-19 list

Bell was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Analysis: Bell was on the COVID list for just three days before his activation Friday. Meanwhile, superstar tight end Travis Kelce has not yet passed through league COVID protocols, putting Bell in position to potentially start Sunday against Pittsburgh. Kelce's return in time for the contest has not yet been ruled out, however, so the situation remains murky for fantasy managers who roster Kelce and/or are considering picking up Bell.

Dec 24, 2021 2:38 PM EST


Expected back from COVID list

Bell is expected to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list in advance of Sunday's game against the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: While such a move has yet to be confirmed by the team, Bell's Week 16 status is noteworthy, with Kansas City's top tight end Travis Kelce also on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If Bell is activated for Sunday's contest and Kelce isn't, Bell would be line to share TE work with Noah Gray versus Pittsburgh.

Dec 24, 2021 8:22 AM EST


Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

Bell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The tight end joins the long list of Chiefs players that have been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list in the last few days. With both Bell and Travis Kelce (illness) in COVID-19 protocols, Noah Gray is the last remaining active tight end on the roster at the moment.

Dec 21, 2021 3:07 PM EST


One target versus Chargers

Bell was unable to haul in his lone target Thursday against the Chargers.

Analysis: Bell has played more than 20 percent of snaps in all but one game he's appeared in this season but hasn't recorded more than a single catch in any one game.That could change next week, however, with Travis Kelce being placed on the COVID-19/reserve list Monday. Bell would presumably take over as the team's top tight end if Kelce is unable to clear the league's protocol in time, with Noah Gray also figuring into the mix more often.

Dec 21, 2021 10:49 AM EST


Overcomes back issue

Bell (back) returned to full practice Wednesday.

Analysis: Bell missed the team's Week 6 matchup against Washington. However, he has seemingly recovered from the issue and should be in for a return in Week 7 against the Titans. Bell should continue to occupy the backup tight end role, and he's recorded four receptions for 33 yards through five games on the campaign.

Oct 20, 2021 6:35 PM EST


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