Blake Bell’s roster spot for Chiefs feels cloudy following injury

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is hitting on all cylinders so far in 2022. Will tight end Blake Bell return, or need to return, this season?

Veteran tight end Blake Bell’s injury was one of the most important Kansas City Chiefs preseason stories. Now, there is no clear need or roster spot for Bell to return to.

The Chiefs’ defense will get some defensive reinforcements after the bye week, with rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie set to return. However, their injured offensive counterparts are not so lucky. Right tackle Lucas Niang is still recovering from the torn patellar tendon he suffered in Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season. At least Niang has a clear role upon his return.

The same cannot be said for Bell. He had a specific role during Kansas City’s Super Bowl run and last season as the team’s blocking tight end. Plus, head coach Andy Reid put his quarterbacking knowledge to use on trick plays. Despite a lack of receiving yards in 2021, Bell was clearly TE2 for the Chiefs. His injury and subsequent surgery opened the door for younger tight ends like Noah Gray and Jody Fortson. While both have flashy moments receiving and blocking, Bell’s return has been lingering in the background.

Reid spoke about Niang’s and Bell’s status ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

"“Most likely it would be after the bye, but somewhere after the bye,” Reid said. “They are getting better and we just have to see how it goes.”"

Those are not exactly confidence-inspiring words from Reid there. He already described Bell’s hip flexor as “unusual” in early August, and abnormal injuries are never good. Updates on Bell’s recovery have been vague and rare, adding more questions than answers.

But, let’s operate under the possibility that Bell could return before Week 12. That would be a good point of the season that allows Bell to acclimate to full-speed football and the Chiefs’ offense before any postseason run. Whose roster spot does he take? Kelce and Gray are roster locks, so they are safe. That leaves Fortson’s spot, but the Chiefs’ leaving him vulnerable to free agency or the waiver wire seems unlikely.

Kansas City did carry four tight ends last year, so that could be an option once again. But, is there a clear spot on the 53-man roster for Bell to take? More so, is there a clear spot on the gameday 46-man roster? At this point of the season, neither has clear answers. He certainly brings a veteran presence that Gray or Fortson cannot replicate, but that shouldn’t keep healthier or more productive players off the field.

The coach’s preference and Bell’s health will be the ultimate decision-makers. That is how it should be, of course. Bell’s role and roster spot were once a foregone conclusion. Bell’s 2022 status is cloudier now than ever.