The NFL world collectively held its breath last week when Travis Kelce limped off the field and then gingerly headed to the locker room. The Kansas City Chiefs TE was able to return and play through the pain, but it was clear that the ankle injury was still bothering him.
With initial fears that the injury could be a high ankle sprain, there was much relief when it was diagnosed as the low ankle variety. However, with the short turnaround from Sunday to Thursday, will it be too quick for Kelce to play in Week 6, and what does that mean for fantasy football managers?
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Is Travis Kelce Going To Play Week 6?
#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce appeared to go down with a non-contact injury on this play
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 8, 2023
Alarm bells were raised on Monday when Kelce was listed as a projected non-participant in practice. The Chiefs didn’t actually practice, but even if they had, Kelce would not have been involved. Tuesday was the only day this week Kansas City practiced, and Kelce managed to get out on the field in a limited fashion.
Wednesday saw Kelce listed as questionable on the final injury report ahead of the game, with another projected limited participation if the Chiefs had practiced. The optimistic view of that is that Chiefs’ trainers did not see any kind of setback Wednesday morning that would have led to Kelce sitting out.
Entering Thursday morning, Kelce’s status remains very much up in the air, but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero believes he is trending toward playing. As we get closer to the game, we’ll most likely get a more definitive picture. Worst-case scenario, fantasy managers will find out 90 minutes before the game if Kelce is active when the Chiefs announce their game-day inactives.
Update 10/12/2023: Kelce is officially active and will play tonight against the Broncos.
If Kelce is on the field, fantasy managers realistically have to ride it and play him.
MORE: Week 6 TE Waiver Wire Targets
The weather in Kansas City is less than ideal for the passing game, but the Chiefs would surely not risk their star tight end being out on the field if they weren’t going to try and use him in the passing game. There is likely too much risk to a tight end in his blocking duties for him to play as a decoy.
The issue for fantasy managers comes if Kelce is out and where they turn. Chances are, if you drafted Kelce, you don’t have a backup TE on your roster. Therefore, if Kelce is ruled out in Week 6, you may find yourself scrambling.
Potential Fantasy Options if Kelce Is Out Includes Noah Gray and Blake Bell
The great thing about Kelce playing Thursday is that fantasy managers have time to find a replacement. You could look at streaming options from PFN’s Week 6 Consensus Fantasy Rankings, or you could look elsewhere on the Chiefs’ roster.
We have recent experience to lean upon for how Kansas City may use Blake Bell and Noah Gray. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make great reading for fantasy managers.
Gray saw the majority of the targets out of the two with five. However, that only turned into three receptions for 31 yards.
Meanwhile, Bell was targeted just three times but had the better fantasy return thanks to a touchdown. Realistically, if you’re starting either of the Chiefs’ backup tight ends in Kelce’s absence, you’re hoping one of them finds the end zone.
Combine that with the poor weather forecast for the passing game, and just maybe, this is going to be a write-off game for the Chiefs’ tight ends. It may be best to look elsewhere this week if you need cover for Kelce.