The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their season opener against the Detroit Lions, but they have been dealt a major blow in the form of tight end Travis Kelce. On Tuesday, the team announced that Kelce had hyperextended his knee in practice and is expected to miss the game.
Kelce is one of the most important players on the Chiefs’ offense and his absence will be felt in the season opener. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and was named first-team All-Pro in 2018. Last season, he caught 97 passes for 1,229 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is also a key part of the team’s running game, as he often lines up as a fullback.
The Chiefs have not yet announced who will replace Kelce in the lineup, but it is likely that veteran tight end Demetrius Harris will get the start. Harris has been with the team since 2013 and has seen limited action in the past few years. He has caught just four passes for 30 yards in the last two seasons combined.
The Chiefs will also be without wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is suspended for the first game of the season. This means that quarterback Patrick Mahomes will have to rely on other options such as Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman to move the ball downfield.
The Chiefs will be hoping that Kelce’s injury is not too serious and that he can return to action soon. In the meantime, they will have to make do without one of their most important offensive weapons. It remains to be seen how they will cope without him in their season opener against the Lions.
