Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee during a recent practice, leaving his availability for the team’s upcoming season opener uncertain, according to head coach Andy Reid.



ESPN reported that while Kelce’s ACL is believed to be intact, he is dealing with knee inflammation. Kelce was officially listed as a limited participant in practice, raising concerns about his streak of not missing a game due to injury since his rookie year in 2013.



The defending champion Chiefs are set to kick off the NFL season against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. In the event Kelce cannot play, 24-year-old Noah Gray is expected to step in as the starting tight end. Gray had 28 catches for 299 yards and one touchdown in 17 games last season.



<h2>Travis Kelce’s Potential Absence Puts Chiefs’ Offensive Prowess at Risk</h2>



Kelce’s potential absence could be a significant blow to the Chiefs’ offense as he is quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target. His unique ability to create separation and make clutch catches has made him an integral part of the team’s success in recent years.



Despite his age, Kelce had a remarkable 2022 season, setting career highs in catches (110) and touchdowns (12), and leading the team with 1,338 receiving yards. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he has accumulated 814 catches, 10,344 receiving yards, and 69 touchdowns in his career.



Additionally, the Chiefs will be closely monitoring the status of Kadarius Toney, who was initially in doubt but is expected to play. With Toney, Sky Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the Chiefs will rely on their receiving corps to make a significant impact in the game.

Travis Kelce's Knee Injury Puts Chiefs' Season Opener in Doubt

Travis Kelce's Knee Injury Puts Chiefs' Season Opener in Doubt - thesportsdrops NEWS

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Teams are not used to take a quarterback in the first round of an NFL draft unless they really need someone at the position. The <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/super-bowl-champions-list-of-all-time-winners-215-20220503-SPD-215.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiefs</a>, however, have proven that sometimes it’s best to select one even if you are momentarily fine at the position.



When <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/tom-brady-super-bowl-rings-how-many-nfl-championships-has-the-quarterback-won-93-20220502-SPD-93.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kansas City</a> selected Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, Alex Smith was still at a great moment at the helm of the team. But he wasn’t getting any younger and the Chiefs anticipated that.



Mahomes would eventually take the reins and lead them to consecutive <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-ring-value-how-much-does-a-super-bowl-ring-cost-188-20220502-SPD-188.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Bowls</a>, winning a long-awaited title in 2020 before losing to the Bucs in 2021. According to Andy Reid, Smith deserves a lot of credit for his successor’s breakthrough.



<h2>Andy Reid believes Patrick Mahomes learned a lot from Alex Smith</h2>



“I told Alex, ‘Man go out and have the greatest year you’ve ever had and to you don’t have to teach Pat. We’re here to do that as coaches,” Reid told Colin Cowherd, via the Kansas City Star. “You’re out there to go produce and win games and do the best you possibly can for your team.’ And so that’s the way we approached it with him. Now Alex by nature, though, was the greatest thing that ever happened to Patrick Mahomes.



“There are different ways to do this thing, whether you play the player right now or some behind a veteran player. Alex was perfect for that. Alex did let Patrick into his world without being forced on it or anything and he let Patrick in it. Patrick handled it the right way and didn’t step in the way of Alex as the Chiefs QB and what he needed to produce and had respect for him. So it worked out perfect. I didn’t have to say a whole lot other than, ‘You go play and go win games, let’s go win a championship. and do the best you possibly can do at the quarterback position.”



This is interesting, considering that <a href="https:\/\/news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-ryan-tannehill-takes-subtle-shot-at-titans-front-office-for-aj-brown-trade-317-20220503-SPD-317.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryan Tannehill</a> recently made a lot of enemies by claiming that it’s not his job to mentor Malik Willis. Even though Reid would understand it, he’s thankful that Smith thought otherwise.

Andy Reid

Travis Kelce's Knee Injury Puts Chiefs' Season Opener in Doubt

Andy Reid says Alex Smith was the best thing that ever happened to Patrick Mahomes

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