Chiefs TE Travis Kelce hyperextends the knee before the opener

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — All-Pro tight end Travis Kelsey hyperextended his knee in a Kansas City Chiefs practice Tuesday, coach Andy Reid said, making his availability for the season opener Thursday night against the Detroit Lions uncertain.

“The next person steps in and we move on. That’s what you do if (he doesn’t play),” Reed said when asked how the game plan would have changed without Kelsey.

Wide receiver Sky Moore said he was walking in a path during a game when Kelsey was injured.

“He was limping when I saw him, as if he was walking off the field,” Moore said, adding that Kelsey left the training ground unassisted. “It was a good sign to see him pick himself up and come off the field.” area.”

As for what the offense against the Lions might look like without Kelsey, Moore said: “It would be a little bit different. … Everyone would be able to fill in the gaps. Obviously this is a Hall of Famer tight end, but we’ll be able to do our job and get to the finish line.” .

The Chiefs have two other tight ends in their active roster, Noah Gray and Blake Bell. Gray caught 28 passes with a touchdown last season, and Bell missed most of the year with a hip muscle injury, but he has 60 passes with one touchdown in eight NFL seasons with five teams.

“He’s one of the hardest guys out there and we can’t wait for him to get back out there,” Bell said of Kelsey. “We’ll keep doing what we’re doing and the rest of the people in the room will be ready to roll.

The Chiefs also have two tight ends on their practice squad and one of them, Matt Bushman, was with the Chiefs at training camp. Bushman said he had a few snaps with the starting lineup after Kelsey was injured, something that wouldn’t usually happen if he wasn’t playing in the next game.

Reid also said on Tuesday that “no progress” has been made in talks with dismissive defensive tackle Chris Jones, who is seeking a new contract.

“We’re focused on the guys who are here, getting ready to play with the Lions, and that’s where I’m at,” Reid said. “If you’re not there, you’re not there, that’s the name of the game.” .

Kelsey, who has eclipsed 1,000 yards in seven consecutive seasons, has not missed a game due to injury since his senior season in 2013, when he underwent microfracture surgery on his knee and appeared in only one game (one catch on special teams). He’s only missed three games since 2014, rested twice in the final week of the 2017 and 2020 seasons, respectively, and missed a Week 16 game in 2021 due to COVID-19.

The point spread in Thursday night’s game moved after news of Kelsey’s injury, dropping from Kansas City -6.5 to -5 in Caesars Sportsbook.

ESPN’s David Purdum contributed to this report.