The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt an unexpected and major blow when four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce suffered a hyperextended knee injury during practice on Tuesday. Fortunately, Kelce did not suffer any major injury, such as a torn ACL. However, the injury was severe enough to put his status for the Chiefs’ Week One game against the Detroit Lions in jeopardy.
Kelce was diagnosed with a bone bruise, but has not been ruled out for Thursday night. And according to Chiefs’ CEO Clark Hunt, things are looking good in terms of Kelce playing.
Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt Believes Travis Kelce Will Play vs the Detroit Lions
On Thursday morning, Clark Hunt appeared on “Good Morning Football” to discuss the opening game of the 2023 NFL season. After Kelce’s injury was reported, Kansas City went from seven-point favorites to 4.5-point favorites. Obviously, the Kelce effect is real.
When asked about whether or not he thinks his star tight end will be able to play two days after hyperextending his knee, Hunt responded, “I would not bet against him being on the field tonight.”
The Chiefs are going to put Kelce through a series of tests on Thursday morning to make sure he is able to play without causing any long-term injury to his knee.
Of course, the Chiefs are a much better team when Kelce is on the field. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Kelce is already considered to be one of the best tight ends of all time. He has seven consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards receiving and is a formidable blocker.
If Kelce is unable to play, it would certainly be a rarity for him. Since taking over as the Chiefs starting tight end in 2014 (his second season), he has missed just two games. Total. In each instance, it was because the Chiefs had already clinched a Playoff spot and the starters did not play the regular season finale.
In other words, Kelce simply does not miss games. If he has avoided any structural damage, it is a pretty good bet that he will suit up and be ready to play against the Lions.
How effective he will be and how much the injury may limit him will be the question, but he won’t play if he cannot help the team. If he is in uniform and on the field, he will still be Patrick Mahomes’ top target.
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