Chiefs TE Travis Kelce believed to have avoided long-term knee injury;

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce's availability for the season opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night hangs in the balance after he hyperextended his knee during practice. Head coach Andy Reid shared this concerning news with reporters on Tuesday. However, there is a glimmer of hope as NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Kelce is believed to have sidestepped a significant knee injury. Nonetheless, his status for Thursday's game remains uncertain. We will have to wait for the knee swelling to subside before gaining a clearer picture of Kelce's availability for Week 1.

This uncertainty surrounding Kelce's participation is particularly noteworthy because he has been a pillar of consistency for the Chiefs. The last time he missed a game due to injury was way back in 2013. If Kelce were to be sidelined for any amount of time, it would be a significant setback for the reigning Super Bowl champions. In the 2022 season, Kelce showcased his exceptional talent by recording 110 receptions (ranking third in the NFL), 1,338 receiving yards (eighth), and 12 touchdowns (second). Since Patrick Mahomes assumed the role of starting quarterback in 2018, Kelce has been his go-to target, amassing 493 catches and 6,298 receiving yards, which stands as the most by any QB-pass catcher duo during that span. Kelce has also earned eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections and led the Chiefs in receptions in six of the last seven seasons.

Should Kelce be unavailable, the Chiefs will have to turn to other tight ends to fill the void. Noah Gray and Blake Bell are the primary candidates to step up in Kelce's absence. However, replacing a player of Kelce's caliber is no easy task, and it would undoubtedly impact the team's offensive dynamics.

Heading into the 2023 season, the Chiefs already faced questions at the wide receiver position. Young talents like Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore were expected to assume more prominent roles, but the reassuring constant was the belief that Kelce would continue to be Patrick Mahomes' security blanket and a key target in big plays. Now, with just two days remaining until the 2023 Kickoff Game, that assumption is in jeopardy.

The Chiefs find themselves in a precarious situation, potentially missing two of their biggest stars come Thursday. The uncertainty surrounding Kelce's injury status compounds the ongoing Chris Jones situation, which remains unresolved. Jones, a standout defensive player, adds to the Chiefs' list of concerns, as his status for the season opener is also up in the air. This double dose of uncertainty puts added pressure on the Chiefs as they prepare for their season opener.

In the world of professional football, injuries are an unfortunate and inevitable part of the game. Teams must adapt and find ways to overcome adversity when key players are sidelined. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the coming days will be crucial as they monitor Travis Kelce's recovery and assess whether he can take the field on Thursday night. If not, they will need to rely on their depth and resilience to navigate the challenges that lie ahead in the season opener against the Detroit Lions.

The Chiefs have two other tight ends on their active roster, Noah Gray and Blake Bell. Gray caught 28 passes with a touchdown last season. Bell missed most of the year with a hip flexor injury but has 60 catches with one touchdown in eight NFL seasons with five teams.

"He's one of the toughest, and we can't wait for him to get back out there," Bell said of Kelce. "We're just going to keep doing what we do, and the rest of the guys in the room will be ready to roll."

The Chiefs also have two tight ends on their practice squad, and one, Matt Bushman, was with the Chiefs in training camp. Bushman said he received a few snaps with the starting group after Kelce's injury, something that normally wouldn't happen if he wasn't going to play in the upcoming game.

Reid also said Tuesday that there has been "no progress" in talks with holdout defensive tackle Chris Jones, who is seeking a new contract.

"We're focused on the guys that are here, getting ready to play the Lions, and that's where I'm at. If you're not there, you're not there, that's the name of this game," Reid said.

Kelce, who has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in seven consecutive seasons, has not missed a game to injury since his rookie season in 2013, when he underwent a microfracture procedure on his knee. The 33-year-old has missed only three games since 2014: twice resting in the final week of the season, in 2017 and 2020, and missing a Week 16 game in 2021 because of COVID-19.

The point spread on Thursday night's game moved after the news of Kelce's injury, with Kansas City dropping from -6.5 to -5 at Caesars Sportsbook