09 October 2023 , 22:03
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Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce did not participate in the team's practice on Monday following an injury scare during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Kelce is officially listed on the injury report as "Did Not Practice" in preparation for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
Kelce's first-half departure from the Vikings game was due to a non-contact injury to his right foot. In the second quarter, while receiving a pass from Patrick Mahomes, Kelce went down awkwardly. His immediate frustration was evident as he tossed his helmet aside, signaling his awareness of the injury.
Despite attempting to walk it off initially, he could not do so and had to be escorted to the locker room, visibly pointing at his injured right foot. He made his way to the locker room for X-rays but returned to action with his foot strapped after half-time.
He caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes late in the third quarter, pushing the Chiefs to a 27-13 lead. Kansas City successfully maintained this advantage, securing a 27-20 victory.
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While NFL fans were worried about his health, the organization showed confidence, sending Kelce onto the field for defensive purposes. Kansas City utilized his 6-foot-5 frame to defend against a potential Hail Mary pass attempt by the Vikings on the game's final play.
However, it is now clear that the injury, which occurred without rumoured love interest Taylor Swift in attendance for the first time in three weeks, is still a cause for concern. With Kelce being held out of practice on Monday, it is clear there is some doubt over his participation on Thursday night with a short, four-day turnaround between games.
Kelce's slip on U.S. Bank Stadium's artificial turf also prompted NFL fans on social media to raise concerns about the playing surface. David Bakhtiari, a former offensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers, had previously criticized the NFL's use of turf and called for reintroducing natural grass on all its fields. This incident reignited the ongoing debate regarding the safety and suitability of artificial turf in professional football.
Kelce went down awkwardly and suffered an injury to his right ankle (CBS Sports)Taylor Swift, rumored to be dating Kelce, ended her two-game streak of attending his games in his family's suite. The streak began with her appearance during Week 3 when the Chiefs secured a convincing 41-10 victory against the Chicago Bears at home.
The following week, Swift was spotted at MetLife Stadium surrounded by A-list celebrities at MetLife Stadium, a venue she is familiar with due to her music career. The Chiefs narrowly secured a 23-20 win over the New York Jets, with Kelce catching six passes for 60 yards.
The songstress releases her Era's Tour movie on the same Thursday the Chiefs are scheduled to play the Broncos. The film exceeded $100 million in global ticket sales before its official release. AMC Theatres, the movie's authorized distributor, has scheduled its release in 8,500 theaters across 100 countries.
NFL players must attend all regular-season and playoff games according to the league's strict regulations on player participation. However, players injured and unable to participate in a game do not travel with the team but stay at the team's facility for medical treatment.
In rare cases, players may be granted permission to miss a game or travel separately from the team due to exceptional personal reasons. These exceptions are evaluated individually and typically require team management approval.