Is Travis Kelce playing today? Chiefs TE's status for Week 18 season finale vs. Broncos explored

Travis Kelce has had a very tumultuous 15 months. In that time, he has become quite possibly not only the Kansas City Chiefs' great aerial playmaker ever, but also one of the NFL's biggest crossover stars thanks to his highly publicized relationship with Tayloe Swift and many media opportunities.

2024 has not been his best in terms of raw numbers, but his team has dominated nonetheless to the tune of a league-best 15-1 record that they clinched on Christmas, which means that he and his fellow starters may get a much-needed breather in the season finale at the Denver Broncos after seventeen nearly non-stop weeks of football. But will that happen?

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Travis Kelce injury update: Will Chiefs TE play in Week 18 vs. Broncos?

As of this writing, Kelce is currently listed as doubtful on the injury list with the designation "coach's decision". This means that he may be sitting out today's game to rest his body come playoff time, as it carries no stakes for the Chiefs and a serious injury therein may severely derail their momentum.

Joining him with that same designation are:

• RB Kareem Hunt
• DE George Karlaftis
• LB Nick Bolton
• LB Drue Tranquill
• S Justin Reid

Also doubtful, albeit because of injuries, are:

• QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle)
• DT Chris Jones (calf)
• CB Trent McDuffie (knee)

The following players, meanwhile, have been ruled out of the game:

• RB Isiah Pacheco (rib)
• WR Mecole Hardman
• OT Jawaan Taylor (knee)
• CB Jaylen Watson (ankle)

Also appearing on the injury report but expected to at least be dressed for the game are:

• WR Nikko Remigio (wrist)
• OT D.J. Humphries (hamstring)
• DT Mike Pennel (hamstring)
• CB Christian Roland-Wallace (shoulder)
• S Chamarri Conner (concussion)

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Travis Kelce stats: How has Chiefs TE fared as this season?

2024 represents the worst season of Travis Kelce's career, not including his 2013 debut that was hampered by a preseason knee injury that limited him to a single special teams snap in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys.

He has covered only 823 yards and scored three touchdowns from 97 receptions - both career-worsts. He has also had just one hundred-yard game: Week 9 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which ended in a 30-24 overtime win.

However, beneath those unsightly numbers lie a few significant milestones. In Week 4 at the Los Angeles Chargers, Kelce became the Chiefs' all-time leader in receptions - not just among tight ends, but at all positions. Ten weeks later, at home against the same opponent, he set the record for fewest games needed to reach 12,000 career receiving yards by a tight end - 172.

But he would save the best for last. On Christmas at the Pittsburgh Steelers, he also became the Chiefs' all-time leader in receiving touchdowns - again, not just among tight ends, but at all positions.