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Travis Kelce fails to clear COVID-19 protocols, will not play in Week 16

We break down Monday’s news that Travis Kelce has been placed on the COVID-19 list. What it means for Week 16 and beyond.

 Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball for a touchdown ahead of Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Trey Marshall (36) during overtime at SoFi Stadium.  Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday AM update: Kelce did not clear the COVID-19 protocols and will not play in Week 16 vs. the Steelers, per Adam Schefter. Blake Bell is his primary backup but is not someone to start in fantasy football. The offense will flow through the rest of the primary skill position players.

Saturday update: Kelce has been activated off the COVID list and is questionable to play depending on his test results ahead of Sunday’s game.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been placed on the COVID-19 list, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The good news is that Kelce is vaccinated and with the new protocols, he’ll have a better chance of being cleared than he would have a couple weeks ago.

The Chiefs don’t really have a strong backup tight end for fantasy, as Noah Gray and Blake Bell have split time backing up Kelce. If Kelce can’t play, we’d likely see those two get some work, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson would all see some extra work.

Fantasy football implications

If you are in the fantasy playoffs, you very much need Kelce to get a negative test and play this week.