The 2023-24 NFL season is set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 7, when the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions. However, following an injury during practice, Chiefs All-World tight end Travis Kelce’s status is officially in doubt for the season opener.
In the Chiefs’ final practice of the offseason, Kelce hyperextended his knee. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kelce’s ACL is intact and he avoided a potentially major injury. Schefter went on to say that despite avoiding a torn ACL, there is still inflammation in his knee. Kelce will test his knee on Wednesday to see if he can play.
Kelce has been a key cog in the Chiefs’ success over the years. The Chiefs have been to the AFC Championship Game in each of the past five seasons and Kelce has exceeded 90 receptions and 1,100 yards in all five of those seasons.
The eight-time Pro-Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and two-time Super Bowl Champion Travis Kelce would be a major loss for the Chiefs if he had to miss any amount of time. With the Chiefs having Super Bowl aspirations, they will need their superstar tight end in the mix.
While Kelce is believed to have avoided any long-term injury, it will be fascinating to see who steps up in his absence. Noah Gray is currently listed as the second tight end on the team’s depth chart and figures to see his snap count increase without Kelce.
