Kansas City Star LOADED: 09.06.2023

Nate Taylor, Dianna Russini
3-4 minutes 9/5/2023
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is considered day to day with inflammation in his knee, a team source said Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:
Kelce had tests done on his knee immediately after practice Tuesday, and those tests revealed the inflammation but no tears, the source said.
More tests are expected to be done Wednesday morning.
Kansas City plays the Detroit Lions in its season opener Thursday.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
How the Chiefs would adjust without Kelce
On the Chiefs’ depth chart, the next tight end behind Kelce is Noah Gray, a three-year player who has become a reliable secondary receiving option. Last season, Gray, in 17 games, produced 28 receptions for 299 yards, including two touchdowns. The other serviceable tight end on the Chiefs’ 53-man initial roster is Blake Bell, who is known for his strong blocking ability.
Perhaps a more viable option is that the Chiefs use all seven of their receivers that earned an initial roster spot, a first since Andy Reid became the team’s coach in 2013. The Chiefs are optimistic that they know the main role of their top three receivers. Kadarius Toney, the dynamic three-year player who missed training camp and the preseason after recovering from surgery to repair meniscus and cartilage in his knee, is the Chiefs’ projected No. 1 receiver — a player capable of creating highlights no matter where on the field when he touches the ball.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a six-year veteran, will resume his role as the Chiefs’ best deep-threat option. And Skyy Moore is expected to be tasked with winning certain matchups in the middle of the field as the slot receiver. — Taylor
How carefully should Kansas City tread with his injury?
Because the injury happened Tuesday, the Chiefs will have just 48 hours to determine if Kelce, an 11-year veteran at age 33, can be available and effective to help his teammates. If Kelce is inactive Thursday night, it will be the first time he has missed a game because of injury since he became a starter in 2014. Such an absence would mean that the Chiefs would play against the Lions without two of their three best players: Kelce and superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones, who is holding out for a lucrative contract extension.
The Chiefs, though, should be cautious with Kelce because the team will have 10 days to rest his knee before its Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. — Taylor
Backstory
Kelce earned Pro Bowl honors for the eighth time last season as he put up 110 receptions for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The 2013 third-round draft pick has 814 receptions for 10,344 yards and 69 touchdowns in his career.