The Kansas City Chiefs believe they dodged a bullet with All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
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FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning that the 0-1 reigning Super Bowl champions initially believed All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce's injury was 'so much worse' than the 'very deep' bone bruise that kept him sidelined for the regular season opener against the Detroit Lions.
"They initially thought it was a tibia plateau fracture," Glazer said during his appearance on FOX NFL Sunday. "Which is a fracture in the leg that would have put him out for the year."
The #Chiefs were initially concerned that TE Travis Kelce suffered a season-ending tibia plateau fracture during Tuesday's practice, per @JayGlazer. However, it turned out to be just a "very deep" bone bruise, and Kelce has been making progress every day.
The plan is to have him… pic.twitter.com/fKz4BvBChN
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 10, 2023
As the rest of the league prepares to kick off the 2023 season on Sunday afternoon, Glazer says Kelce was at the Chiefs' facility on Sunday morning receiving treatment for the injury, with the next step being the tight end trying to run during practice to get a better idea of where he is in terms of his recovery.
According to Glazer, Kelce continues to make progress, and the plan is for him to return in time for Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kelce's presence was desperately missed by defending MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense that was plagued by several dropped passes by the likes of Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney, with one returned for a touchdown by Lions rookie safety Brian Branch.
"No excuses at all," Andy Reid said, via KSHB-TV. "We've got guys that can play. We were right there to take care of business. They got us on special teams and continued the drive. They got us on the tipped ball."
Nevertheless, the Chiefs' offense is certainly more prolific with Kelce on the field, and his return could prove to not only be a stabilizing force for Mahomes but also what ignites the offense following a woefully disappointing performance in Week 1.
Last season, Kelce caught a career-high 110 passes for 1,338 yards with a career-best 12 touchdowns, solidifying his standing as the most dangerous weapon in Mahomes' arsenal.
