Kansas City Chiefs tight end Blake Bell suffered a hip flexor injury during the team’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears.
Head coach Andy Reid said the injury to Bell occurred on the team’s opening drive when the veteran tight end caught a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to cap off an 11-play, 72-yard drive. Bell attempted to re-enter the game following the injury but was too injured to stay in the game, which is why it appeared as though he suffered a non-contact injury.
QB Patrick Mahomes finds TE Blake Bell on 2nd & goal for a 5-yard TD. PAT is good.
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The following week, Reid said the injury Bell suffered was “unusual,” but provided no further detail besides that. Bell didn’t practice leading up to Kansas City’s Week 2 preseason game against the Washington Commanders, nor did he play in that game.
On Tuesday, August 23, Reid gave another update on Bell which hints at an extended absence for the veteran tight end.
Bell Underwent Hip Flexor Surgery
Reid told the media on Tuesday that Bell recently underwent surgery on his hip flexor.
Blake Bell had surgery on his hip flexor injury.
Although Reid provided no further details about Bell’s injury besides stating that Bell’s absence would be lengthy, one option for the team is to place him on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Doing that would mean Bell wouldn’t count against the 80-man roster that all NFL teams are required to have by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday. However, Bell will have to miss the first four regular season games if he is placed on the Reserve/PUP list.
Depending on the recovery timeline for Bell post-surgery, he could also land on injured reserve. However, if he is placed on injured reserve prior to the final roster cutdowns of the preseason he will not be allowed to return during the 2022 season, per league rules. The Chiefs could, however, opt to keep Bell on the roster until after final roster cutdowns and then place him on IR, which would allow him to return after a minimum of four games.
Heading into Tuesday, the Chiefs’ roster had 82 players on it. If Bell is placed on the Reserve/PUP list or IR, that means Kansas City only has to make one more transaction to get to the required 80-man roster by 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
Twitter Reacts to Bell News
As is the way for most injuries that take place during the preseason, Bell’s injury potentially provides a lifeline for a couple of players on the Chiefs roster that are on the bubble.
“I tend to think the Blake Bell situation could mean an extra running back or offensive lineman rather than a fourth tight end, such as Jordan Franks,” Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride wrote. “The 53 door may have just opened for Derrick Gore or Mike Caliendo.”
I tend to think the Blake Bell situation could mean an extra running back or offensive lineman rather than a fourth tight end, such as Jordan Franks. The 53 door may have just opened for Derrick Gore or Mike Caliendo.
Other Twitter users also reacted to the Bell news.
“Well that explains the Blanton waiver claim, Connor Christopherson of Arrowhead Report wrote. “Curious if the Chiefs bring a tight end in soon. Gray/Fortson are great weapons at TE but I don’t think either can hold up as inline blockers.”
“Which means Bell will be back at the earliest in 4-6 weeks. This is why I have suggested that the Chiefs will keep 4 RBs going into Week 1,” another user wrote.
The last chance the Chiefs’ bubble players will have to make the 53-man roster will be in Kansas City’s preseason finale, which will be against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football on August 25.
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Chiefs HC Andy Reid Hints at Extended Absence for Veteran TE