Travis Kelce will sit out KC Chiefs vs. Steelers

According to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, the Kansas City Chiefs will be without star tight end Travis Kelce against the Pittsburgh Steelers after learning he didn’t clear COVID protocols in time.

The Chiefs and Steelers are slated to kick off at 3:25 p.m. C.T. in a game that, at one point earlier this week, felt destined to be moved for the sake of the number of players testing positive for the coronavirus.

At one point this week, the Chiefs had as many as 16 players on the COVID reserve list at the same time between the active roster and the practice squad and a total of 18 players have been affected overall. Fortunately, the Chiefs were getting back some players at the same time others were being added. The game came into view as the Chiefs failed to register any new positive tests on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Chiefs will be without tight end Travis Kelce when they face the Steelers.

The Chiefs did get some good news when it comes to COVID and their offense when Tyreek Hill was able to clear the COVID protocols despite the short week on the reserve list. In addition, the Chiefs defense should be almost all the way back to normal given the return of defensive tackle Chris Jones, cornerback Charvarius Ward, and linebacker Willie Gay. Both Rashad Fenton and Nick Bolton will remain out but the Chiefs are healthier there than initially expected.

Kelce is having another Pro Bowl season in 2021 as the best tight end in the business. Fresh off of winning the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Week award in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelce has 83 catches for 1,066 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2021.