Kansas City Chiefs Face Major Travis Kelce Injury Scare Ahead Of Crucial Broncos Showdown

Travis Kelce's ankle injury sparks concern in Kansas City© Instagram/ @killatrav

Friday's practice will decide whether Travis Kelce faces Denver. The Chiefs tight end went full on Wednesday, then landed on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant with his ankle. That is a small swing, but Kansas City has little room for small problems right now. The team is coming off a 20-3 loss to Seattle, its first of the year, and the offense scored only three points. Denver sits one game back at 5-2. Kelce's right ankle has nagged him since October 18, and this week it spoke up again.

Travis Kelce ankle injury: the hit that started it

It happened in the first quarter of the Chiefs' 22-6 win over the Chargers. Linebacker Daiyan Henley dropped his hip on Kelce after a screen pass, and his shoulder caught the right ankle. Taylor Swift was at Arrowhead that day. Kelce limped off, trainers taped the joint, and he returned to finish with four catches for 53 yards.

Andy Reid waved it off, saying Kelce had "tweaked his ankle." Former NFL doctor David Chao watched the replay and called it a mild high eversion sprain. Players can usually work through that kind of injury when the ankle is well supported.

The results since then fit that picture. Kelce played against Seattle after limited practices and caught four passes for 44 yards. It was only the second time this season he failed to reach 50 yards. He still tied Noah Gray for the team lead and passed Marvin Harrison and Cris Carter for fifth on the NFL's all-time receptions list.

Travis Kelce status for the Broncos game

Nothing is official, but the signs lean toward him playing, just as he did last week. A full Wednesday followed by a limited Thursday looks more like weekly management than a fresh setback. That is my read, and only the team can confirm it.

Kelce is not the only name on the list. Rashee Rice, L'Jarius Sneed and Omarr Norman-Lott also practiced on a limited basis. Cornerback Mansoor Delane sat out with a shoulder injury.

The Chiefs want their top target for this one. Kelce had 71 yards in the first meeting with Denver, and Kansas City leads the division at 5-1. He has 24 catches for 343 yards and two touchdowns this season. Those numbers are solid, but the last two weeks show a tight end who is playing hurt and not producing as he did before the hit.

Kansas City needs a Kelce who can move, not just one who can suit up. Friday's report is the first real clue.