The Kansas City Chiefs star tight end has joined the likes of Mark Andrews to have a question mark tag next to his name. Luckily for Andrews, he plays on Sunday. Travis Kelce on the other hand isn’t as lucky. The Chiefs open the 2023 NFL season against the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night and Kelce is in doubt of missing this game and more as he suffered a hyper-extended knee injury at practice on Tuesday. Let’s look at the most recent Travis Kelce injury updates as we assess whether he will be available in Week 1.
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Travis Kelce Injury Update: Will the Star Tight End Play Thursday Night?
Travis Kelce Injury Update
According to multiple sources, Travis Kelce sustained a hyper-extended knee injury during practice on Tuesday that has left his status for Thursday’s game in question. This comes in lieu of Kadarius Toney also being questionable come Thursday Night. Kelce has been a workhorse the last few seasons and has rarely missed time in his nine-year career. His last missed game came two years ago and that wasn’t even due to injury. He was held out due to COVID-19.
Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid told reporters that Travis Kelce hyper-extended his knee at practice today and his status for Thursday night’s opener vs the Lions is uncertain.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2023
Is Travis Kelce Playing Week 1?
At the time of this update, reports suggest he’s going to test his knee out prior to the Lions-Chiefs Thursday Night Football game.
We’ll have to wait on the severity of Kelce’s injury, but the Chiefs may want to be cautious with their 33-year-old future Hall of Famer. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is set to have a bigger role if Kelce can’t suit up and his deep ball ability that he showcased last season with Patrick Mahomes should be on full display against a Lions defense that allowed the third-most passing yards in the league last season.
If healthy, Kadarius Toney will be in line for multiple gadget plays and red-zone work as he showed in the Super Bowl. Justin Watson will be a sneaky anytime touchdown play if the value presents itself. Before the Travis injury news, Watson to score a touchdown was listed at +650 on DraftKings sportsbook.
