Wednesday Update: Travis Kelce is questionable for Lions vs. Chiefs in Thursday's NFL season opener and odds are moving once again since Kelce's injury status was updated. Oddsmakers at multiple books have moved the Chiefs to -4.5 favorites — they were -5.5 when he sustained the injury Tuesday afternoon — while the total has dipped down to 52.5 at most books.
The Kansas City Chiefs begin their road as reigning Super Bowl champions Thursday night against the Detroit Lions, but they may be missing a key target on offense. Tight end Travis Kelce hyper-extended his knee during practice Tuesday, head coach Andy Reid said to reporters in a post-practice interview.
Kelce's status for Thursday's season opener is uncertain at the moment, but he was able to walk off the field under his own power, according to players.
Skyy Moore said he saw Travis Kelce limp off the field on his own power, a sign Moore believes the injury is not too serious. https://t.co/ckAn6ZOf0Z
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) September 5, 2023
The Chiefs were 6.5-point favorites before the news of Kelce's knee injury and lines have fallen a half point across the board since Reid made the announcement. The total, which was listed at 54.5 this morning is already down a point to 53.5.
How Travis Kelce's Injury Impacts Lions vs. Chiefs Odds
Kelce has been a huge part of the Chiefs' offense in his career, leading the Chiefs in receptions seven times since the 2014 season and at least tied for the lead in touchdowns four times. If he's unable to go, our Action Network analysts agree that there will be a significant impact to the Chiefs' attack. According to our Director Predictive Analytics, Sean Koerner, if Kelce can't go, his absence is worth roughly a half point to full point to the spread.
For what it's worth, our expert Chris Raybon tacked on yet another unit on the Lions spread at a price of +6 seconds after news of the injury dropped.
Brandon Anderson is taking a different approach and keeping an eye on the total with the news of Kelce's injury.
Anderson: Kansas City is breaking in two new offensive tackles along with a new offensive coordinator after Eric Bieniemy’s departure, and the offense looked uncharacteristically rusty in preseason. The Chiefs really lack reliable weapons for Mahomes outside of Kelce too, and all of this stuff takes time.
Primetime unders are 125–84–3 (60%) the last four years. Jared Goff is 14–9 (61%) to the under with a line of 51 or higher, and Thursday night games are 19–8–1 (70%) to the under with a line over 51.
Kelce is so important to this Chiefs attack. He turns 34 in October. I was already a bit concerned about his importance to this team, so I’m officially worried at this point. Give me the under 54.
