The Kansas City Chiefs face a daunting prospect as star tight end Travis Kelce’s knee injury threatens his Week 1 availability.

Kansas City Chiefs fans are holding their breath as the 2023 NFL season opener against the Detroit Lions approaches. The team’s star tight end, Travis Kelce, is in doubt for the game after suffering a knee injury during practice, according to head coach Andy Reid’s announcement on Tuesday. This uncertainty has already had a significant impact on the betting lines, with the Chiefs going from 6.5-point favorites to 6 points following the Kelce injury news.

Also read | Kyle Rudolph: Net worth, wife Jordan Nine, NFL, salary, age, career and more

Kelce’s absence would leave a massive void in the Chiefs’ offense. In 2022, he delivered another dominant season, tallying 110 receptions for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns, helping Kansas City secure their second Super Bowl title. His 21.2% target share led the Chiefs and ranked second among all NFL tight ends, just behind Mark Andrews. Kelce also topped the charts in yards per route run (2.23) among tight ends with at least 50 targets.

Remarkably, Kelce has been exceptionally durable in recent years, with his last injury-related absence dating back to 2013. This potential absence could force the Chiefs to look to other options to maintain their offensive firepower.

Which Players Can Replace Travis Kelce?

While Travis Kelce’s availability hangs in the balance, another key player, Chris Jones, is also uncertain for the opening game due to a contract holdout. While negotiations may lead to a resolution, the window is tight, leaving the Chiefs potentially short-handed against the Lions.

If Kelce can’t play, the tight end duties will likely fall to Noah Gray. Although Gray’s experience is limited, he showed promise last season with 28 receptions for 299 yards. Fantasy football managers, in particular, should take note, as Gray could step into a low-TE1 role if Kelce is sidelined.

For fantasy managers seeking alternatives, there are options available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues. Names like Gerald Everett (41% rostered), Juwan Johnson (38%), Jake Ferguson (32%), and Luke Musgrave (15%) are short-term fill-ins worth considering.

Also read | Who is Shilo Sanders, Deion Sanders’ son? NFL draft projection and more

The Kansas City Chiefs face the prospect of a challenging start to their season if Travis Kelce can’t recover in time for the opener. His absence would not only affect their offense but also create opportunities for other players to step up and make their mark in the NFL’s spotlight. As game day approaches, all eyes are on Kelce’s status and who will replace him if necessary, making this matchup against the Detroit Lions one of the most eagerly anticipated season openers in recent memory.