Travis Kelce is a game-time decision after injuring his back at practice on Friday.@JayGlazer has the latest updates on Mahomes and Kelce before today's AFC Championship game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cH5Ca7x6yw
Buy Chiefs Tickets— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 29, 2023
Some new information on Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce’s injury and status heading into the AFC Championship Game has been revealed. Earlier reports indicated that Kelce was expected to play and while that still may be the case, maybe it’s not quite as cut-and-dry as previously believed.
Ahead of the NFC Championship Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, FOX Sports reporter Jay Glazer updated fans on Kelce. Glazer says that Kelce’s back locked up on him during the last play of practice on Friday. He received anti-inflammatory treatments on Friday and Saturday according to Glazer, who says that the Chiefs, “still don’t know if (Travis Kelce) can go” and have deemed him a game-time decision.
What do they need to see in order to feel comfortable with Kelce playing? Glazer says they need to see him run during pregame warm-ups.
NFL Network’s James Palmer added some additional context, explaining that Kelce had improved on Saturday. He also confirmed that the team wants to see him go through pregame workouts, but there remains optimism that he’ll play.
Travis Kelce this morning had some tightness in his back. He had spasms Thursday and Friday. Saturday it was believed it improved. The #chiefs want to see him workout pregame and run per source. There is still optimism he’ll play, we’ll see if that changes.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 29, 2023
Kelce has officially arrived at the stadium ahead of the game and looks no worse for wear.
Travis Kelce is in the house. #ChiefsKingdom #AFCChampionship @fox4kc @fox4sports #fox4kc pic.twitter.com/qLPwexpJ4f
— Rob Collins (@RCFOX4KC) January 29, 2023
For now, all we can do is wait until the players take the field to warm up, which is coming up at 4:30 p.m. CT. Rest assured that Rick Burkholder will be keeping a watchful eye on both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce at that time.