You waited until the last possible moment to draft...and it still didn't work. That's the feeling of many fantasy football owners across the globe who spent their first-round pick on Travis Kelce. He avoided preseason injuries, training camp injuries, and off-the-field injuries. He didn't have a contract dispute or a suspension. Yet, one of fantasy's most consistently elite players goes down with an injury in practice just days to go before the season opener. Instead of cruising until kickoff on Thursday night, you're now on the hunt for news and inactive reports before your first Week 1 start 'em, sit 'em decision. Football is back, indeed.
We'll continue to update this article with news on Kelce until the official active/inactive report comes out on Thursday around 6:50 p.m. ET.
MORE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best props | Betting preview | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Travis Kelce playing Thursday night Week 1?
UPDATE 9/5: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Kelce, who was limited in practice on Tuesday, is "in doubt" for Thursday's opener, but the injury isn't expected to affect him long term. He'll likely be "questionable" and come down to a game-time decision in Week 1.
UPDATE 9/6: Kelce is officially "questionable" for Thursday night's game. His brother Jason said on Wednesday that Travis will play, but this will likely be a game-time decision.
UPDATE 9/7: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday afternoon that Kelce will go "through a workout to test his injured knee" for a final decision is made on his availability for Thursday night.
UPDATE 9/7: NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported late Thursday afternoon that Kelce will be OUT for Thursday night's game against Detroit.
With just over two days to go before the Chiefs begin their quest to become back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the team took a hit when Kelce went down with a hyperextended knee in practice on Tuesday.
According to head coach Andy Reid, his status is uncertain for Week 1. That is a 6-5, 250-pound question mark, and one that will be top of mind for everyone in Chiefs Kingdom. The true severity of the injury is unknown, though it is a bit concerning that Kelce's status is up in the air with such little time left before kickoff.
UPDATE 9/7: Kelce is OUT, as first reported by Jordan Schultz and confirmed by Ian Rapoport. The Chiefs star attempted to convince the team to let him play, but Kansas City is predictably staying cautious with an entire season still ahead.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
If Kelce is active, he's a no-doubt starter in all lineups. Odds are, he's the highest-drafted player on your team and should be treated as such. At tight end, replacing Kelce's level of production is impossible, and it's unlikely that you have someone like Kyle Pitts hanging out on the bench. Kelce is one of the true matchup-proof players who can put up big numbers against anyone.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
If Kelce is ruled out, Noah Gray would be in line to start and likely handle most of the workload. The issue is that Gray, or any other Chief, couldn't replicate Kelce's role. He might pick up a touchdown in the red zone, but Reid would likely try to include more wide receivers in the game plan. That could mean more opportunity for the big-bodied Justyn Ross or more of an emphasis on the running backs in passing situations. Skyy Moore could also stand to benefit if Kelce were absent.
Who should you pick up in fantasy if Travis Kelce is out?
It's unlikely that Gray or Blake Bell would become focal points of the Chiefs' offense if Kelce is out, as the team would attempt to fill the void by committee. If you're desperate, Gray is the preferred option of the two, but there should be better options on the waiver wire. Gerald Everett (vs. Dolphins), Logan Thomas (vs. Cardinals), and Michael Mayer (@ Broncos) all have solid matchups based on last year's defensive numbers, while Jake Ferguson (@ Giants), Greg Dulcich (vs. Raiders), and Tyler Conklin (vs. Bills) should see a decent number of targets. All are available in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues, so you'll definitely be able to grab one. Everett would be our top choice, but Thomas could be a sneaky PPR play if Terry McLaurin (toe) is out.
