Team news: Kansas City Chiefs | Page 25

Chiefs HC Andy Reid said both TE Travis Kelce (bone bruise) and DT Chris Jones will play Sunday vs. Jaguars "as long as nothing happens."

Great news for Chiefs to have their 2 stars back. No word on workload, per Reid.

Related Players: Noah Gray, Blake Bell

Kelce could have his workload cut in half and he would still easily be a top-12 fantasy tight end. Unless we hear otherwise, there is no reason to put him on your bench in Week 2.

One reason Mahomes is the league’s reigning MVP is he became one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks when attempting short and intermediate passes. In the Chiefs’ comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, none of Mahomes’ 21 completions traveled more than 20 yards past the line of scrimmage.

Of course, Reid and Mahomes can anticipate the next trend: Opposing defenses starting to zig to more conventional coverage, a mission to clog the short and intermediate passing windows for Mahomes.

Related Players: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice

As the article would go on to mention, Mahomes' 8.2% deep ball rate in 2022 was a career-low. Particularly when the team returns a healthy Travis Kelce who can do so much damage in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, the Chiefs may be pushing the ball downfield more often while defenses attempt to prevent their ultra-efficient short game.

Despite his horrendous first week of the season, Toney should expect some of that action to go his way, as his speed will often see him at the perimeter and beyond the defense. Valdes-Scantling was an incredible best ball target throughout the summer for this exact same reason. They are both difficult starts outside of deep-league Flex plays, but they will certainly pop from time to time this season.

Multiple team sources believe Smith-Schuster is not presently among the team’s five most effective pass-catchers. According to those same sources, his place in the offense has been complicated by a variety of factors. His knee, flatly, is not 100%. Asked whether Smith-Schuster was healthy enough to finish Sunday’s game, Pats coach Bill Belichick dodged the question in his Wednesday morning press conference.

Related Players: Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte

It's been a long time since we've been able to trust a Patriots receiver to deliver consistently, and some thought that maybe Smith-Schuster could finally be that answer. Things aren't looking great right now. Three different options took more slot snaps than the former Chief, including both tight ends, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki. Smith-Schuster can be safely dropped in most leagues.

Updates from Chiefs coach Andy Reid:
-- TE Travis Kelce (knee) will practice in a limited capacity, as he makes progress from his bone bruise.
-- DL Chris Jones, back from his holdout, will practice today and play on Sunday.

Related Players: Noah Gray, Blake Bell

Clearly good news for all fantasy managers. Even a limited practice on Wednesday is historically a good sign for Sunday availability. We will update as the week progresses.

Travis Kelce’s absence clearly impacted the Chiefs’ offense in Thursday’s 21-20 loss to the Lions.

“Trav is getting better, he’s progressing,” head coach Andy Reid said Monday, via Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com. “We’ll see how he does the rest of today and tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Related players: Noah Gray

The story said reports last week indicated there’s a chance the star tight end could return for Sunday’s matchup with the Jaguars. But that’s not set in stone, it added. Gray would likely get the nod again if Kelce can't play in Week 2. Gray had five targets and a 3-31-0 line in Week 1. Luckily for owners, the Chiefs have an early game at Jacksonville in Week 2, so owners will have time to make alternate plans if needed.

Chiefs star TE Travis Kelce is out tonight against the #Lions. He may give it another try before kickoff. Either way, the bone bruise should not keep him out long-term.

Related Players: Matt Bushman, Noah Gray, Blake Bell

The answer to the Kelce replacement question may end up being "no one," as the team will now have three active TEs for TNF. Gray is interesting in very deep leagues, but none of the three options are recommended.

The Chiefs are elevating TE Matt Bushman from the practice squad for tonight's game against the Lions. Insurance in case Travis Kelce can’t go.

Related Players: Noah Gray, Blake Bell

The answer to the Kelce replacement question may end up being "no one," as the team will now have three active TEs for TNF. Gray is interesting in very deep leagues, but none of the three options are recommended if Kelce misses Week 1.

Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, who suffered a bone bruise to his knee at Tuesday’s practice, is being listed as questionable for Thursday night’s regular-season opener versus the Detroit Lions.

Related Players Noah Gray, the entire Chiefs offense

The immediate fantasy football beneficiary would likely be Noah Gray, who has popped with decent usage, particularly in a second-year stretch in 2022 when he accumulated 16 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown in the seven games following the team’s Week 8 bye. Wide receiver Skyy Moore could be the biggest beneficiary, as Kadarius Toney is unlikely to start the season as a bona fide WR1 option, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling is mostly used as a deep threat.

There is some good news out of Kansas City on Travis Kelce after the tight end hyperextended his knee during Tuesday’s practice.

According to a report from NFL Media, Kelce is not believed to have suffered a long-term injury. Kelce’s status, however, is in doubt for Thursday’s season opener against Detroit.

The story went on to say the Chiefs plan to let the swelling go down in Kelce’s knee and reevaluate from there. Kelce, 33, was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice after exiting the session early. Receiver Skyy Moore said Kelce was able to walk off the field under his own power. As we said in an earlier post, now is the time to form a backup plan.