Chiefs without injured Kelce in opener vs. Lions

The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2023 season without two of their biggest stars.

Superstar tight end Travis Kelce was ruled out before Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions due to a knee injury, the team announced.

The Chiefs were also without their top defender, Chris Jones, as the defensive lineman is holding out while negotiating a lucrative long-term extension with the team. He was at Arrowhead Stadium in a suite to watch Thursday's contest, James Palmer of NFL Network reported.

Kelce made a strong push to play, but the Chiefs ultimately decided to keep him sidelined for Week 1, sources told NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. Kelce hyperextended his knee Tuesday at practice.

Widely considered the NFL's best tight end, the 33-year-old topped 1,000 yards for the seventh straight season in 2022 while setting career highs with 110 catches and 12 touchdown receptions.

The Cincinnati product, whom the Chiefs drafted in the third round in 2013, hasn't missed a game due to injury since his rookie campaign.

In his absence, Noah Gray will presumably be Kansas City's top tight end versus Detroit. He caught 28 passes for 299 yards and one touchdown last season.

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