Chiefs sign All-Pro Jones, may also get Kelce back this week
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Chris Jones to a new one-year contract Monday, which should end the All-Pro defensive tackle’s holdout and could mean he will be on the field when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars for Week 2.
The Chiefs did not disclose terms, but a source told The Associated Press no years were added to his four-year, $80 million deal, that was due to expire. The person, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the deal, said it instead includes incentives to substantially increase what Jones will make this season.
“Chris is an elite player in this league, and over the last seven years, he’s really developed into a leader on our team,” Chiefs general manager Manager Brett Veach said in a statement. “He’s been instrumental to our success and Super Bowl championship runs and it was a priority for us to keep him in a Chiefs uniform.”
Jones gave up a $500,000 workout bonus, was fined $50,000 each day for missing a mandatory minicamp and all of training camp, and forfeited nearly $1.1 million in his first game check for holding out through Week 1. It’s unclear whether the provisions in his new deal will allow Jones to recoup the millions he already lost.
Kelce may return this week:
The Chiefs are trending toward having perhaps both of their missing All-Pros on Sunday in Jacksonville.
Head coach Andy Reid said Monday that tight end Travis Kelce, who hyperextended his knee in practice last week, has been progressing in his recovery. He wanted to play in Thursday night’s loss to Detroit, but Reid and Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder decided to make him inactive for the season opener after a workout earlier in the day.
“Travis is getting better,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does the rest of today or tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”
The Chiefs could certainly use their star tight end after their offense fizzled in the 21-20 loss to the Lions.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner, who left Sunday’s season-opening victory over Tennessee with a foot injury, “probably” needs surgery that could sideline him for an extended period, coach Dennis Allen said Monday.
Turner, a 2021 first-round draft choice out of Houston, struggled with injuries during his first two seasons, when he appeared in a total of 13 games combined.
Last season, he exhibited potential in the eight games he played, getting two sacks and five tackles for loss to go with a blocked potential game-winning field goal.
Turner may need surgery:
Jack Conklin kept Deshaun Watson from harm. He couldn’t protect himself.
Cleveland’s starting right tackle sustained a “major” left knee injury in the first half of Sunday’s win over Cincinnati and will miss the remainder of the season, a major personal blow and significant one for the Browns.
Conklin, who returned last season from a severe injury to his right knee, tore two ligaments when he was inadvertently rolled up on by Bengals end Trey Hendrickson at the end of a pass play in the first half of the Browns’ 24-3 season-opening win.
Conklin was finishing off his block when Hendrickson hit him from the side after being pushed down by Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills. Jr. Conklin was carted off the field and tests Monday confirmed the diagnosis.