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

miniaturas

<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/patrick-mahomes-admission-on-chiefs-shocking-loss-to-bengals-in-2022-nfl-playoffs-2485-20220809-SPD-2485.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patrick Mahomes</a> didn’t have a great performance in the 2021 season. However, even after throwing a career-high 13 interceptions, he still managed to lead the Chiefs to a deep run in 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">postseason</a>.



Things didn’t end well, as Kansas City eventually lost to the Cincinnati <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nfl/nfl-news-joe-mixon-believes-the-bengals-have-what-it-takes-to-return-to-the-super-bowl-1848-20220628-SPD-1848.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bengals</a> in the AFC Championship Game. Still, it was another year they went far with Mahomes under center. With the 2022 NFL season drawing nearer, all eyes will be on them again.



It will certainly be a different year for Mahomes with a new group of wide receivers as Tyreek Hill left for the Dolphins. However, Travis Kelce believes his quarterback will take his level to new heights.



<h2>Travis Kelce Says NFL Will See An Even Better Version Of Patrick Mahomes</h2>



“What Pat’s able to do is keep developing. He keeps finding ways to get better as a quarterback,” Kelce said, via Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports. “And that, by far, is what’s made this offense take off and go into more of a passing offense than what we’ve had in the past.



“I’ve always thought he’s been one of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around on the football field — whether it’s just playing off natural instincts or actually knowing what the defense is doing. I’ll leave that up to him to tell you. But I think his development over the offseason has got a lot to do with taking it to that next step, whether it’s that next read or understanding what the defense is doing so you know where to go even more precise with the ball instead of just feeling out the defense.



“I’ve really seen that out of him in this camp more than any. I see it from Pat every game that we play on and off the field. He’s just a competitor, a natural competitor.”



It’s not like Mahomes has anything left to prove, but it will be interesting to see how he performs after big changes in the Chiefs’ WR room. If you ask Kelce, we should only expect to see even better things from him.

Travis Kelce

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

NFL News: Travis Kelce believes we have yet to see the best of Patrick Mahomes

Receive the latest news in your E-mail box