Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a two-time All-Pro who hauled in 103 catches for a franchise-record 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season, underwent ankle surgery, multiple reports indicate.
NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo’s official tweet on the topic describes the procedure as a “cleanup,” and also states that the 29-year-old tight end will miss most of the Chiefs’ organized team spring activities. However, he should be back on time and healthy for July training camp, which is very good news for the team.
Given the current roster at the tight end position, which does not really hold up to Kelce level, it would be a shame losing one of the best tight ends of the league and one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target in 2019.
Who are the other tight ends on the roster?
So what if he does not get healthy right away? Well, that’s a big offensive threat out of the lineup. And nobody, as of today, would take his spot because let’s face it, Demetrius Harris will be a free agent this offseason and never really proved anything with the Chiefs. He isn’t coming back.
Deon Yelder and David Wells are the young tight ends on the roster behind Kelce.
The Chiefs have been meeting with quite a few tight ends at the NFL Combine this week, so they could perhaps look to add some insurance in the event that Kelce isn’t ready at the start of training camp, or just needs to nurse his injury back to health a little bit more.
Kelce has been a durable and solid tight end for the Chiefs over the years. Injuries generally haven’t been a problem for him. A knee issue got him on injured reserve after one game as a rookie in 2013. Since then, he has missed just one contest. But he’s had anyway his share of bumps and bruises.
Kelce wasn’t on the Chiefs’ injury report this past season
Kelce wasn’t on the Chiefs’ injury report leading up to the AFC Championship Game and didn’t miss any time with injuries this season.
So, people around the Kingdom are wondering when Kelce got hurt. Was it during the AFC Championship game? In fact, he had a monster game against the Colts, but only 23 yards reception against the Patriots.
Or was he hurt with a minor injury all throughout the season? No report never mentioned an injury, not even a minor one.
After Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a back injury, Kelce commented on injuries to tight ends:
“You’ve got to be a very fortunate guy to get through this game, one, injury free – I don’t think that’s ever been done – but two, to just be able to get out there and compete,” Kelce said. “I know it’s one thing to get a knee or a shoulder done – I’ve had about nine surgeries, knees, shoulders, and abdominal – but I haven’t had anything back-related. I think that’s some serious stuff when you’re dealing with the stability in your back, your neck and things like that, I think that’s a whole different gamut than anything I’ve been able to go through.”
Travis Kelce, sometimes dubbed Zeus, will have to rest for a few months before going back on the field and help his teammates being a serious contender for next year Superbowl. No doubt his contribution will be greatly appreciated.
You’ve got to be a very fortunate guy to get through this game injury free.
