Travis Kelce Injury History

Travis Michael Kelce, commonly known as Travis Kelce, is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL season. Kelce started his pro career after getting picked in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the 63rd overall pick. Kelce did not start a game in his rookie year, as he made his debut off the bench in Week 2 of the 2013 NFL season after picking up an injury in the preseason. Kelce became a regular in the 2014 NFL season, starting in 11 games while appearing in 16 regular season games. According to Pro Football Reference, in his 12-year pro career, Kelce has recorded 1004 receptions for 12,151 yards in the regular season, as of January 2025. He is a three-time Super Bowl winner along with a ten-time Pro Bowler from 2015 to 2024 as well. Kelce also holds the NFL record for most receptions (165) in postseason games. By the end of the 2024 regular season, he also holds several other NFL records, including career postseason receiving touchdowns by a tight end (19), career postseason receiving yards by a tight end (1,903), and seven seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards for a tight end being a few of them.

Growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Kelce attended Cleveland Heights High School, where he was a three-year letter winner as a quarterback in his high school. Kelce was acknowledged with all-Lake Erie League accolades during a senior campaign in which he amassed 2,539 yards of total offense. He committed to the University of Cincinnati in 2019. According to Sports Reference, during his three-year collegiate career, Kelce recorded 59 receptions for 875 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He also received first-team All-Big East honors in 2012.

Travis Kelce Injury History

Travis Kelce has sustained several injuries and concussions during his 12-year career in the NFL. He suffered a knee fracture in September 2013, followed by a rib injury in October 2014. He suffered an ankle sprain in August 2015, followed by a shoulder injury in February 2017. He sustained back-to-back Grade 1 concussions in October 2017 and January 2018. In January 2020, he sustained a knee strain, followed by a cervical neck stinger in October 2021. In 2023, he sustained a knee bruise in September 2023, followed by an ankle sprain in October 2023 (via Draft Sharks).

Major Injuries Sustained by Travis Kelce Injury History

As per the Draft Sharks, below are the major injuries a 10-time pro bowler has suffered in his career by the end of the 2024 regular season.

Knee Patella Fracture (2013)

After having arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome knee on September 3, 2023, Kelce's cartilage problem was discovered, resulting in a microfracture treatment. He did not miss another game due to a knee injury after it. However, later reports claimed the injury to be a bone bruise (via Draft Sharks).

Chest Rib Sprain/ Pull Unspecified (2014)

Kelce sustained a rib injury in a Week 7 game against the Chargers on October 19, 2014. However, he played through the injury and the coach claimed it to be a soreness in the cartilage area (via Draft Sharks).

Pedal Ankle Sprain/ Pull Unspecified Grade 1 (2015)

During the 2015 NFL season's off-season practice, Kelce sustained an ankle sprain on August 31, missing out on the fourth preseason game. The injury was not deemed to be serious and he was benched for precaution, according to HC Andy Reid (via Draft Sharks).

Shoulder Injury (2017)

Kelce underwent shoulder surgery in February 2017. However, HC Andy Reid termed it a “cleanup” type surgery, according to Draftsharks. He did not miss any game due to the injury (via Draft Sharks).

Head Cranial Concussion Grade 1 (2017)

Kelce sustained a Grade-1 concussion in the game against the Houston Texans on October 8, 2017. After being given the all-clear to resume play, he displayed some short-term memory loss at halftime. Kelce was able to play after clearing the procedure in the following week, according to Draftsharks.

Head Cranial Concussion Grade 1 (2018)

On October 6, 2018, Kelce sustained a Grade-1 concussion again in the game against the Titans, missing out on the second half of the Wild Card Round (via Draft Sharks).

Knee Strain Grade 1 (2020)

Kelce limited his drills in practice due to soreness in his knee in January 2020, according to Draftsharks.

Cervical Neck Stinger (2021)

In Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season against the Buffalo Bills, Kelce suffered a neck stinger. He did not miss any game due to it (via Draft Sharks).

Knee Bruise (2023)

Kelce sustained a bruise on his knee during an off-season practice on September 5, 2023. He had to sit out for the opening game of the 2023 NFL season as a precautionary measure (via Draft Sharks).

Pedal Ankle Sprain/Pull Unspecified Grade 1 (2023)

Kelce sustained a sprained ankle in Week 5’s game against the Vikings on October 8, 2023 (via Draft Sharks).