When the Kansas City Chiefs take the field for the regular-season opener on Thursday, they could very well be doing so without All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
And it at least seems as though they are bracing for that reality.
“The #Chiefs are elevating TE Matt Bushman from the practice squad for tonight’s game against the #Lions,” posted NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport citing sources with knowledge of the situation on September 7. “Insurance in case Travis Kelce can’t go.”
Bushman, 27, is a former undrafted free agent out of BYU in 2021. He has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders as a member of their practice squad. He joined the Chiefs in the same capacity last season, and he even made it into two games. Bushman played 21 total snaps split between offense and special teams.
He joins a tight end group that will be headed by Noah Gray and Blake Bell. That is if Kelce is indeed unable to suit up on Thursday night.
Chiefs Have Contingency Plan Amid Travis Kelce Injury
Chiefs’ Travis Kelces ‘Questionable’ for Season Opener vs Lions
Kelce hyperextended his knee and suffered a none bruise during practice on Tuesday. The injury and the timing both have put his status for Week 1 versus the Detroit Lions in jeopardy. Heading into his 11th NFL season, this would be the first time that Kelce is forced to miss a game due to injury since he was a rookie in 2013.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the plan is to test the knee in pre-game warmups to see if he can play. Even then, though he will likely be limited. He has missed the last few days of practice and there will always be the concern of making the injury worse.
His brother – Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce offered some insight into Travis’ status during a local radio hit.
Jason Kelce suggested a quick recovery is highly possible if not likely.
“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 on the WIP Morning Show on September 6. “I think he’s gonna be good to go. I really do.”
Kelce accounted for 24.7% of the Chiefs’ targets and 25.2% of the team’s receptions last season. He ranked third in the NFL in grabs and sixth in targets. Kelce also had 71 more targets and 58 more catches than his next closest returning teammate, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Chiefs’ Chris Jones Expected to Attend Season Opener
While Kelce could be a spectator, All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones will be for sure as his contract holdout will extend at least through this week. He has said that he is willing to take it to Week 8 of the regular season.
But James Palmer of NFL Network reports that, perhaps in a sign of good faith, Jones could be in attendance for Thursday’s showdown with Detroit.
“There’s a pretty good chance Chris Jones will be at Arrowhead tonight in a suite to watch the #chiefs open up the season against the #Lions,” Palmer tweeted on September 7. “If he’s there it wouldn’t be a surprise to the Chiefs either and they are not opposed to allowing Jones to be there and see the Super Bowl banner drop.”
Jones clarified his stance on his contract, saying that there was no animosity from either side.
That is a good sign. But the Chiefs certainly did not plan to begin the regular season missing two of their top three players.
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
