Travis Kelce injury update: Chiefs TE misses practice with knee swelling
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without their top pass catcher on Friday, Travis Kelce, due to some knee swelling.
Andy Reid insists things will be just fine. The Kansas City Chiefs head coach fielded questions about the status of Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce on Friday given that he was sitting out of practice at training camp. Reid explained that Kelce was suffering from some knee swelling, a condition that has apparently cropped up before, per Terez Paylor.
Travis Kelce had swelling on his knee. Reid thinks he'll be fine because it flares up every once in a while.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 4, 2017
Kelce enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2016, crossing the 1,000-yard mark in receiving yards for the very first time in his career. With 85 catches and 1,125 receiving yards, Kelce set career marks in nearly category and proved himself capable of hitting the next level after signing a five-year extension the previous offseason. The next goal for Kelce should be doubling his touchdown total to become a true end zone threat in an offense that could use it.
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
Hopefully Kelce will have a chance to do that. If Reid is right, then the Chiefs should know already how to manage Kelce’s knee condition throughout the week so he is ready when it counts the most. Behind him, the cupboards look good for a back-up but no one is ever going to be able to step in and replace the mismatches that Kelce brings to the offense.
Gavin Escobar could conceivably step up as a nice pass catching option, but he’s not a tested product at this point and his blocking leaves him one-dimensional as a player. Orson Charles is the complete opposite, as only a blocking option for the Chiefs. Demetrius Harris could play a larger role, but he had 6 drops in limited duty last year, so it’s understandable if Alex Smith doesn’t quite trust Harris with the ball when it counts. Ross Travis is a developmental player who shouldn’t be shoved into the spotlight.
After missing his entire rookie season due to injury, Kelce has played in every single game over the last three years.