Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee during practice Tuesday, and the timing couldn’t possibly be worse for the Kansas City Chiefs.The defending Super Bowl champs open their season Thursday against the Detroit Lions, and the betting line has already shrunk from 6.5 points to 4.5 since the injury was announced.Kelce is considered day-to-day, The Athletic reported, and he still hasn’t been ruled out of Thursday’s game. But depending on the severity of the hyperextension, it isn’t an injury players typically recover from in a matter of days.
For fantasy football managers, Kelce is still worth an early-round pick in leagues that haven’t drafted yet. But teams with Kelce will want to have a backup plan in the event he does miss time — his absence could also benefit other managers in need of flex options. Here’s a few best options to target.
Watson obviously can’t slide into your tight end spot if you’re looking for a direct Kelce replacement, but he could be in line for increased production for managers in need of a flex. He’s expected to be KC’s fourth receiver behind Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kadarius Toney, and his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame makes him a decent red zone option if Kelce is out.
Look, Gray isn’t a huge receiving threat. He only has 35 career catches in two years with the Chiefs (28 last season). But it’s hard to find opportunity when you’re backing up the best tight end in football. If Kelce is finally missing time, which he rarely does, it’s hard to imagine Mahomes ignores the position altogether. That works in Gray’s favor.
..No Kelce means more targets for KC’s wide receivers, and Valdez-Scantling is the rare starter who isn’t being drafted much. He has a 210 ADP, according to FantasyPros, which
means he’s going undrafted in a lot of 12-team leagues and will likely be available for anyone willing to take a flier.
Fantasy managers are understandably scared to touch Knox after the Bills drafted his presumed future replacement Dalton Kincaid in the first round. But Knox, who has 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons, is still the present starter. In year one, I’d expect to see the two tight ends on the field together more than we see Kincaid replacing Knox altogether. If you drafted Kelce, Knox might be your best available option for a spot start — especially this early in the season.
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