The Kansas City Chiefs, led by tight end Travis Kelce, are fresh off a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals after facing a disappointing loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The defending champion team has picked up ten wins for six losses as of Week 17 and is now sitting atop the AFC West. Though they didn’t have a promising performance in the 2023 regular season, they would like to close the season finale with a win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.
As the Chiefs gear up for their Week 18 match, a crucial question arises: will star Kelce take the field? Recent updates on the tight end’s health and the team’s strategy shed light on his potential involvement in the matchup.
Is Travis Kelce going to play in the Week 18 Chiefs vs Chargers game?
Travis Kelce, dealing with a neck concern, will have no injury designation for Sunday’s game. Despite being limited in practices leading up to the game, his status for the clash against the Chargers remains optimistic. However, the veteran himself has voiced uncertainty regarding his participation.
During his ‘New Heights’ podcast alongside his brother Jason Kelce, the TE acknowledged head coach Andy Reid’s role in determining the lineup for the upcoming game. He highlighted the HC’s commitment to the team’s best interests while hinting at the possibility of being sidelined during the upcoming match.
“I know Coach [Andy] Reid is gonna do what’s best for the time and right now I’m not quite sure exactly how it’s gonna play out [and] if guys are gonna sit [on the bench], what guys are gonna get elevated,” he said via Just Jared.
The Alpine F1 owner is on the cusp of an incredible milestone, requiring a mere 16 receiving yards to attain 1,000 yards for the eighth consecutive season of his NFL career. Keeping aside individual milestones, he alluded to the team’s strategy by emphasizing the necessity of assembling a competitive squad while potentially deactivating certain players to maintain a formidable lineup.
“It’s really going depend on who’s on your roster and how many guys you can deactivate and still put together a good team and have a full squad ready to go.”
When Reid was asked about Travis Kelce’s game status, he stayed tight-lipped, saying,”Nothing finalized yet. We’ll see how it all goes, how it works out.”
With the defending champion securing the No. 3 seed in the AFC regardless of the Week 18 game’s outcome, the team holds the option to rest key players to ensure their readiness for the upcoming playoffs.
Chiefs vs Chargers Injury Report for Week 18 season finale
The Chiefs will enter the game already depleted, missing key starters due to injuries. Wide receiver Kadarius Toney, left tackle Donovan Smith, wide receiver Rashee Rice, and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed are confirmed out of the lineup. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is unlikely to play, meaning they will turn to backup Blaine Gabbert to steer the offense.
Several players of the defending champion are listed as questionable, including running back Isiah Pacheco, linebacker Nick Bolton, cornerback Trent McDuffie, defensive end George Karlaftis, and defensive end Mike Danna.
On the flip side, the Chargers also find themselves facing injury woes. Fans hoping for a final game featuring veterans like Keenan Allen and Joey Bosa will be disappointed, as both are set to be sidelined. Defensive tackle Nick Williams and backup edge rusher Justin Hollins will also miss the clash against the Chiefs.
There are some players on the team, including cornerback Deane Leonard, linebacker Tanner Muse, tight end Stone Smartt, and edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, who have been listed as questionable. Other than that, offensive lineman Zion Johnson and starter linebacker Kenneth Murray are also considered questionable. But there is one bright spot for the Chargers, wide receiver Joshua Palmer is expected to play in this important game after passing the concussion protocol.
