The Phaninc ExchangeKansas City Chiefs will begin their Super Bowl title defense Thursday against the Detroit Lions, but they might have to do so without the team's top offensive weapon.
Kansas City head coach Andy Reid announced Tuesday star tight end Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee during practice, and it is uncertain if Kelce will be able to play in the 2023 season opener.
“We’ll just see how he does going forward,” Reid told reporters Tuesday.
If Kelce doesn't suit up for the Chiefs Thursday, it will serve as a major blow to the offense, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes would be without his top target. Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving last year with 110 catches for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns. In Super Bowl 57, he had a team-high six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
One of the most reliable players on the Chiefs roster, Kelce played in all of Kansas City's regular-season and postseason games last season. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection last missed a game in 2021, missing the Week 16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers due to being on the COVID-19 list.
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ESPN reported Kelce did not suffer any damage to his ACL. He has inflammation in his knee and will test it Wednesday to determine his status for the season opener.
With wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster having left for the New England Patriots this offseason, the Chiefs do not return any players who had more than 60 catches or 700 receiving yards for the team in 2022.
Kansas City also could be without standout defensive tackle Chris Jones, who last week was placed on the "did not report" list as he continues to hold out.
"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 Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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