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Andy Reid won’t use Travis Kelce’s absence as excuse for Chiefs’ loss to Lions

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Suzanne Halliburton | Last updated 9/8/23

A hobbled Travis Kelce, the Chiefs superstar tight end, was on the sidelines Thursday night, waving a towel and cheering on his teammates. Surely if he’d been in the lineup, Kansas City might’ve fared better on the scoreboard.

But Chiefs coach Andy Reid wanted no part of that line of thinking. Kansas City, especially playing at home, still should’ve beaten the Lions, instead of losing 21-20.

“No excuses at all,” Reid said in his post-game presser. “We’ve got guys that can play. We were right there to take care of business. They got us on special teams (fourth-down fake punt) and continued the drive. They got us on the tipped ball (Branch’s pick-six).”

The Chiefs lost Kelce, Tuesday, after he suffered a bone bruise during a light practice. His official status for the game was “questionable” as of Wednesday. But the Chiefs medical staff did another test on Kelce Thursday morning and ruled him out for the game. They’ll now try to get him ready for the Chiefs matchup with the Jaguars, Sept. 17.

NBC reported sideline reporter Melissa Stark said during the game telecast that Travis Kelce struggled during a Thursday workout in a pool. But she said there is optimism that Kelce can play next week. Doctors already determined that he suffered no ligament or structural damage. However, there still was swelling, which was a factor in the decision not to play Kelce.

“It wasn’t feeling right,” Reid said of Kelce’s knee. “So I wasn’t going to put him out there. He was honest with me and we talked, just not enough time there (to heal).”

Patrick Mahomes also didn’t want to accept Travis Kelce’s absence as a reason for losing. Next man up is more than a cliche.

“You’re losing one of the best — I think, the best — tight ends of all time,” Mahomes told reporters in his post-game presser. “But other guys have got to step up. It’s going to have an impact on the game. But other guys have to step up, and they’re going to have to step up in moments because I’m sure there are times he’ll get doubled. So, we’re just going to have to rely on these other guys that are young and talented to step up and make plays, and I think they will.”

Mahomes distributed passes to 11 different receivers. The reigning NFL MVP completed 21 of 39 passes for 226 yards. However, the different in the game proved to be a Mahomes pass his receiver didn’t catch. The Lions scored on a 50-yard pick six. But the pass first was deflected by Kadarius Toney. Detroit rookie Brian Branch returned it 50 yards for the touchdown.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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