The Chiefs will be without Patrick Mahomes’s favorite target to open the season with star tight end Travis Kelce reportedly set to miss Week 1 due to a knee injury.
Kelce, who was listed as questionable for the game, was ruled out ahead of Thursday’s opener against the Lions with a bone bruise, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The news comes two days after the 33-year-old hyperextended his knee during practice.
Despite reportedly avoiding a long-term injury, Kelce’s status remained firmly doubt prior to Thursday. But, with the news now official, the two-time Super Bowl champion will miss a game due to injury for the first time since his rookie season in 2013.
While there’s still concern about Kelce, the team’s decision not to play him was made “out of an abundance of caution,” per Pro Football Talk. The outlet also reported Kelce’s knee is “structurally fine” and causing him “mild discomfort,” though the “swelling has gone down.”
With Kelce still on the mend heading into Week 2, reigning champion Kansas City will have to look for production elsewhere Thursday as it looks to stave off an upset against Detroit without the ailing future Hall of Famer. The Chiefs’ active tight ends for Thursday’s game are Blake Bell, Matt Bushman and Noah Gray.
