Travis Kelce’s Latest Injury Could Be Bad For The Detroit Lions
Football is back, baby. We’ve already seen the much anticipated return of College Football, and now this week the NFL returns. *audible exhale* We made it…we made it.
The return of the NFL season is even more special in 2023, because the regular season kicks off with the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs taking on our Detroit Lions. It doesn’t get more Prime Time than that, does it?
You really couldn’t ask for a better matchup to launch the start of the season. Two of the hottest teams in the league last year get to square off to see who can continue that end of the season dominance and start the year 1-0. The Chiefs, obviously, had an incredible run at the end of their year, winning it all. However, the Lions had a spectacular run of their own, winning five of their last six games.
Football fans are excited because their sport is back and they should get a great game to start the season. Chiefs fans are excited because they get to raise the banner, and take on a franchise that has arguably been one of the biggest laughing stocks in the league over the past few decades. Lions fans are excited because they have a chance to start the year by beating the best, and recent developments have them thinking a little more optimistically about their chances.
They meet for the 15th time, who ya got when the Lions and Chiefs meet at #Kickoff2023?! 👀 pic.twitter.com/0zyUnX5ZTJ
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) September 6, 2023
Travis Kelce’s Impactful Injury
Earlier this week, it was announced that Kansas City’s star Tight End, Travis Kelce, injured his knee and is now doubtful for the game against the Lions. Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid announced on Tuesday that Kelce had “hyperextended his knee” at practice that morning and his status for Week 1 isn’t certain, according to Adam Schefter at ESPN.
Ian Rapoport, of the NFL Network, had more developments on the injury, saying it looks good for Kelce’s long-term health, but Week 1 is certainly in question.
Specifically, it is a bone bruise for Travis Kelce. https://t.co/QOy19zDNad
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2023
As the week has progressed, there remains hope that Kelce will be able to go. Jordan Dajani, of CBSSports.com, wrote that Travis’ brother Jason, who plays Offensive Line for the Philadelphia Eagles, thinks little bro will be ready to go.
Why It Could Be Good For The Lions
Now, obviously, you never want to see a guy get hurt. Hopefully, he’s healthy and ready to go. However, it’s understandable that Lions fans may be hoping he gives the knee a break and starts his season Week 2. You’d have better chances of winning if the other team was without one of the best and most impactful players, which Travis Kelce is. He’s the go-to target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The guy had four touchdowns in a game last year! That doesn’t just happen. Of course the Chiefs aren’t the same team without him.
Since his injury, the betting line for the game as gone from Chiefs -7 to Chiefs -4.5, according to ESPN. That dramatic decline makes me believe Vegas sees a real chance of him not playing in this game. Don’t get too excited, though, Lions fans. There might be something we’re overlooking here.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 01: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the NFL match at Wembley Stadium on November 01, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Don’t Start Celebrating Now
It’s not time to start celebrating, yet. Even if Kelce doesn’t play in the game, the Chiefs need to be taken seriously. Shouldn’t have to say that regarding the defending Super Bowl Champions, but it’s necessary. They still have the best quarterback in the league, in Patrick Mahomes, and let’s be honest…he could very well be the most talented QB to ever play the position. That’s a debate for another time, but there’s no arguing he’s certainly already one of the greatest to ever do it.
Not only are the Chiefs set at the quarterback position, but they have one of the best coaches in the game, as well. Andy Reid is a scheming beast. He’s going to find a way to get players open, even if they aren’t as skilled as Travis Kelce. The rest of the weapons on the team may not have Kelce’s name or pedigree, but they should not be ignored. I mean, look at the weapons Tom Brady won with for years in New England. They never had the most skilled pass catchers, but they found and created ways to win with the personnel they had. The Chiefs are capable of doing just that.
My big fear is that this injury might cause the Lions to take their foot off the pedal a little. The points spread as dropped in half, essentially, and now they might not be coming into the game as the underdogs they were last week. Now, there’s sort of the expectation that they should win this game, if Travis Kelce doesn’t play. I don’t want that mentality. This team is built on Grit. They thrive on people not believing in them. Look how they finished the season last year. They proved the whole wrong, in a display that truly was Detroit vs Everybody.
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a third quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Kansas City defeated Detroit 34-30. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
Why Travis Kelce’s Injury Changes Everything
Prior to his injury, the expectations for the game were different. If the Lions lost, hey it’s to the defending Champs and one of the best quarterbacks we’ve ever seen. What did you expect? However, if they won. It would have been a huge statement. It would prove to the world that this isn’t “S.O.L.” Now, if Travis Kelce doesn’t play, and the Lions win, it won’t look as impressive to the rest of the viewing world. They were supposed to win that game playing a team without their best weapon. It really takes away some of the credit that the Lions would receive, had this not happened.
What I’m saying is, it shouldn’t change the narrative. With or without Travis Kelce, beating the Kansas City Chiefs to start the 2023 NFL season would be a big deal, and a massive accomplishment. If he sits out, and the Lions lose the game, now a whole new narrative begins. “How great is Patrick Mahomes that he can lead a group of nobodies to a win.” “Lions can’t even beat the Chiefs without their best weapon.” The stories would be never ending, and the Lions would turn to the butt of the joke, when it wouldn’t be deserved. This injury is already changing the conversation and narrative around these two teams, and the outcome of the game could dictate how these teams are perceived going forward for the rest of the year.
What I Hope
I hope Travis Kelce is healthy, I hope he plays, and I hope he plays well. Then, I hope the Lions beat them. Fair and square. Their best against our best. We’ll have to wait to see what happens…but hopefully we can start the 2023 season with a win and Restore The Roar.
Grab the sticks, it’s time to play! 🎮 🏈 @ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/1VsJ5XY83h
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 12, 2023
Can’t wait for the return of Lions football? Keep reading for more on the upcoming season and our boys in Honolulu Blue!
Detroit Lions: Get to Know the Initial 53-Man Roster for 2023
Quarterbacks
This year’s quarterbacks are Jared Goff, who is the starting quarterback, of course, along with Teddy Bridgewater and Hendon Hooker. We have a solid crew here. I’m a Goff believer.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 09: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions look on during pregame warm-ups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on January 09, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Wide receivers
This year’s wide receivers include Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Marvin Jones, Jameson Williams and Antoine Green. Sadly, Williams will miss the first several games due to gambling violations.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball after making a catch against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Running backs
We’re strong here. This year’s running backs include David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jason Cabinda (FB). This is a solid roster. It’s great to get Montgomery from the Bears.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 11: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions runs up the field in the second quarter of a preseason game against the New York Giants at Ford Field on August 11, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Tight ends
We need some help in this area, but this year’s lineup seems strong. This year’s tight ends include Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright and James Mitchell.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball after making a catch against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Offensive line
Let’s go get it! This year’s offensive line includes Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, Graham Glasgow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Colby Sorsdal and Matt Nelson. That’s a good showing.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 18: D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Defensive line
Let’s look at the positions of EDGE and tackles. We have Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs, Brodric Martin, Levi Onwuzurike, Benito Jones, Aidan Hutchinson, Charles Harris, Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, James Houston, Romeo Okwara and Julian Okwara. It’s a solid list.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field on September 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Linebackers and Defensive backs
Let’s check out our linebackers and defensive backs. We have Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Anthony Pittman, Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley, Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker, Brian Branch, Will Harris, Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Many of these are familiar names.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 08: Jamaal Williams #30 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Specialists
Don’t forget these guys. We also have Jack Fox, Scott Daly and Riley Patterson. In the fold. So, there you have it. Our initial lineup. Let’s keep everyone healthy and winning.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 09: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on January 09, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
