Report: Chiefs TE Travis Kelce had ankle surgery

According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently underwent ankle surgery.

It was described to Garafolo as a “cleanup,” but Kelce may miss all of the team’s spring program. However, Kelce is expected to be ready to go by the start of training camp this summer, Garafolo said.

#Chiefs All-Pro TE Travis Kelce recently underwent ankle surgery, sources tell me and @RapSheet. One source described it as a “cleanup.” Kelce will miss some, if not all, of the team’s spring program but is expected back for the start of training camp.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 2, 2019

Any surgery considered a “cleanup” is typically viewed as minor. The concern here is that there was little indication that Kelce was injured to end the season. It’s possible that he fought through an issue throughout the season.

This is something to keep an eye on, especially with Demetrius Harris slated for free agency and only two relative unknowns — Deon Yelder and David Wells — behind Kelce. The Chiefs have been meeting with quite a few tight ends at the NFL scouting combine this week, so they could perhaps look to add some insurance in the event that Kelce isn’t ready at the start of training camp.