Travis Kelce Injured, Latest on Chiefs TE's Status After Exiting to Locker Room vs. Falcons

The Kansas City Chiefs announced tight end Travis Kelce was questionable to return after leaving the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with an ankle injury.

The future Hall of Famer went to the locker room with the setback.

Kelce has been one of the most durable players in the NFL over the past decade. His only absence due to an injury since 2014 was in Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Detroit Lions when he had a knee bruise.

Even as Kelce has reached his mid-30s and his overall performance has shown signs of decline, he's in the starting lineup every week. His presence was extremely valuable for the Chiefs during the 2024 season while they navigated injuries and struggles among their receiver room.

The Chiefs' pass-catching group is still a question this season, with Kelce and Rashee Rice the only proven options. Tyquan Thornton had given them a downfield threat, but a dislocated ankle suffered in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders will likely keep him for most of the season.

Losing Kelce for any length of time would be devastating for a Chiefs offense because of his reliability and connection with Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season.

Kelce doesn't take over games like he once did, but he's still Mahomes' favorite target. He currently leads the team in targets, receptions and yards.

The good news is Kansas City's offense has been phenomenal because the addition of Kenneth Walker III in free agency has reignited the running game, taking pressure off Mahomes and the passing attack.

However, Walker was also out for the game against the Vikings.

Kansas City will turn to backup tight end Noah Gray with Kelce out of the lineup. Gray knows this offense very well having played with the club for six seasons. He had a career-high 437 receiving yards in 2024.