We probably say this every year, but it feels as though the barrage of injuries that inevitably hits has occurred far sooner than normal. It’s only Week 2, and we have a bunch of every-week fantasy starters either out or at risk of not playing.
Among those injured players is Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce. A Tuesday injury at practice caused him to miss the team’s Thursday night opener. Fortunately, Kelce did return to a limited practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 2. Should fantasy football managers bank on the best TE in fantasy returning to action this week?
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Latest News Surrounding Travis Kelce
ESPN’s Adam Teicher provided us with “photographic proof that Travis Kelce [was] at practice today.”
In recent years, Wednesday practices have become largely meaningless. What that means is, if a player misses a Wednesday practice, it really doesn’t matter, as long as he returns Thursday. So, when an injured player practices on Wednesday, it’s a really good sign for his game-day availability.
MORE: 2023 TE Fantasy Football Rankings
Last Thursday, Kelce was reportedly pleading with head coach Andy Reid, as well as the Chiefs’ medical staff, to let him play. While players are often overly optimistic about their own recoveries from injury, the fact that Kelce was doing so was a great sign he would only miss one week.
The Chiefs wisely held their second most important player out of the game, allowing him to fully recover. Their reward is that it sure looks like he will end up only missing one game.
Will Kelce Play This Week?
In Reid’s conference with the media, Teicher reported the following:
Andy Reid said the plan is for Chris Jones to play on Sunday. Travis Kelce will practice today so he will likely go on Sunday as well
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) September 13, 2023
Although Kelce was limited at practice, his presence at all is a fantastic sign. Based on videos and beat reporters’ observations, he appeared to be moving well. A Wednesday appearance, combined with how close Kelce was to playing last week and Reid’s comments, has me extremely confident that Kelce’s absence will be confined to just one week.
Update: Kelce will play this week, per Andy Reid.
What Does This Mean for Kelce’s Fantasy Ranking?
Whenever Kelce is on the field, he will be No. 1 in our PFN Consensus Rankings. He is not only the best TE in fantasy; he is quite possibly the only TE in fantasy that actually matters.
A true difference maker at an otherwise dismal position for fantasy, you don’t need me to tell you Kelce belongs in fantasy lineups whenever active, even if he is not 100%.