Travis Kelce leaves practice with leg injury, update coming
The Kansas City Chiefs might have a very serious injury on their hands. On Monday, tight end Travis Kelce was forced to leave practice with an injured leg. He was able to leave under his own power, but did not return, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.
TE Travis Kelce left practice early with right leg injury. Walked off on his own but didn't return
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) August 31, 2015
The Chiefs have also announced that there will be an update on Tuesday, indicating that this is a serious problem. At the very least, Kelce is undergoing tests, otherwise they would be squashing concern immediately.
There will be an update on #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, who left practice early, on Tuesday.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) August 31, 2015
If Kelce is out for any amount of time, the Chiefs have a devastating injury on their hands. General manager John Dorsey acquired Jeremy Maclin to help open up the passing game, but if Kelce’s services are gone, Kansas City is back to where it began. Additionally, the team released Anthony Fasano in the offseason to create cap space. Behind Kelce is an uninspiring depth chart of James O’Shaughnessy, Ryan Taylor and Richard Gordon. Demetrius Harris was put on the active roster on Sunday, but he is not expected back early in the season.
This would be absolutely crushing to a team with AFC West aspirations and perhaps beyond. Last year, Kelce rebounded from microfracture surgery on his knee to lead the team with 862 yards and five touchdowns. Without him, Alex Smith will have one less weapon to utilize.
Right now, there is nothing everybody can do but wait. Hopefully this is only a scare and Kelce can be on the field Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, that is anything but certain at the moment.