Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been one of the most durable fantasy football superstars in recent memory, but he has already missed one game this season and is dealing with an injury heading into a short week against the Denver Broncos.
Here’s a look at Kelce’s fantasy outlook and some alternative options in the Chiefs’ passing game if he is unavailable for Thursday Night Football.
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Is Travis Kelce Going To Play Week 6?
On the surface, Kelce is off to his normal start through the first five games of the season.
He is currently the TE2 in PPR formats and is top five at the tight end position in the statistical categories of targets, receptions, and touchdowns despite missing a game this season.
Kelce TD, easy money 💰😮💨
📺: #KCvsMIN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/N9u7YlUy7x— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
However, for a player who has traditionally been a poster boy for durability in the NFL, Kelce has gotten dinged on multiple occasions through the first five weeks, which can be at least mildly concerning for a 34-year-old player.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
These concerns reached a fever pitch when Kelce was seen limping off the football field during the Chiefs’ win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5.
Travis Kelce heads to the locker room after sustaining an injury.
"He immediately just threw his helmet down in frustration." – @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/9E3n8DcLMu
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 8, 2023
Kelce was able to return to the game and finish the contest with a nice stat line, but questions remained about his status heading into a short week against the Broncos.
After not participating in Monday’s practice, Kelce did get back on the field in a limited-participant fashion, which certainly bodes well for him having a chance at playing on Thursday Night Football.
If Kelce plays, he’s obviously a must-start in your fantasy football lineup and will enter Week 6 as the TE1 in my weekly fantasy rankings.
Editor’s Note: Kelce has officially been listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Broncos.
Potential Fantasy Options if Kelce Is Out Include Noah Gray and Rashee Rice
However, what should fantasy managers do if Kelce can’t go against the Broncos? Which Chiefs pass catcher is worth a spot start against one of the worst defenses in the NFL?
If you are in a pinch at tight end in a deeper league, Noah Gray may be worth a dart throw. I would simply temper expectations, though, seeing that he hasn’t found the end zone all season and has never topped three receptions or 38 yards in any game this season.
I would tend to believe this would give Kansas City’s wide receivers a bit more of a bump in fantasy value for Week 6.
Names like Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, and Justin Watson are all worth considering, but the name I am most intrigued by is Rashee Rice.
Rice scored his second touchdown of the season on one of his four receptions (five targets) against the Vikings in Week 5.
The numbers have been staggering by any stretch, but I could see Rice seeing an expanded role if Kelce were unavailable against a struggling Denver defense.