The Kansas City Chiefs ran into an unexpected hiccup yesterday when All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce suffered a hyperextended knee during practice, per head coach Andy Reid. It was later determined to be a bone bruise, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Kelce is said to have avoided major injury.
His status for Thursday’s regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions is in jeopardy. But his brother, Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Jason Kelce, offered some insight into the tight end’s injury and outlook.
“I talked to him yesterday,” Kelce said during an appearance on the WIP Morning Show in Philadelphia on September 6. “I think he’s gonna be good to go. I really do.”
Eagles’ Jason Kelce Believes Chiefs Star Will be ‘Good to Go’
Travis Kelce’s Knee ‘Structurally Sound’
Kelce confirmed the reports that the belief is that his brother’s knee is “structurally sound”.
“I know he’s got some swelling going on. But it sounds like as long as they can get that down, he’s gonna have a chance to go,” Jason Kelce said. “The ligaments and everything are intact structurally. From what we know right now, his knee’s fine. So it’s really about getting that swelling down, and then seeing how bruised that bone is.
“They can be pretty painful, especially if it’s in a spot that’s rubbing all the time. And that can kind of shut down your muscles and do other things.”
That last point could be enough reason to air on the side of caution with Kelce in Week 1 of what the Chiefs hope is a 23-week season including the week off before the Super Bowl. A win in the season-opener would be nice but the end goal remains more significant.
Jason Kelce’s Hyper Extended Knee
“I’ve done the same thing,” the Eagles center said. “You just plant, and your knee hyperextends. I mean, if I’m being truthful, the last time I did this, I was making a bonfire outside. And I thought I was strong enough to kick a piece of wood in half, and I hyperextended my knee and did the same thing – bone bruise.
“It was the middle of the season, and my knee did swell up. I was like, ‘Man, that was the dumbest thing I’ve done in a long time’.”
Kelce noted that he did not miss any time with his injury.
Chiefs Already Without Chris Jones
Adding insult to injury, the Chiefs are no closer to a resolution on a new contract with All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones leaving them at risk of being without two of their top three players. General manager Brett Veach said that the front office had been in contact with Jones in recent days.
But Jones has already said he is willing to extend his holdout through Week 8 and recent posts suggest he is dug in.
Kelce was one of the more outspoken Chiefs regarding Jones’ situation, even going so far as to try “bargaining” with him during a recent installment of the “New Heights” podcast.
“Chris, can you please come back? You’re really scaring me, man,” Travis Kelce said on August 31. “I don’t get it. You must know something that I don’t know because I just don’t get it. I really want to win another Super Bowl ring with you, brother. This is me, just bargaining with you to come back and play football for the Chiefs. Please, we need you.”
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
