National Football League

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce inactive for Chiefs vs. Chargers

Published Jan. 7, 2024 4:25 p.m. ET

Travis Kelce is inactive for the Kansas City Chiefs' season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, ending the star tight end's chance to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the eighth straight season.

Kelce needed 16 yards to hit the milestone, which would have been the fourth-longest streak in NFL history regardless of position, but with the Chiefs (10-6) locked into the third seed in the AFC playoffs the team decided to play it safe.

Kelce is the only tight end in NFL history with seven straight 1,000-yard seasons. Current FOX Sports NFL analyst Greg Olsen has the next-longest such streak, with three straight seasons reaching the mark from 2014-2016.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the two-time Super Bowl MVP, had been downgraded to out earlier on Sunday, with veteran Blaine Gabbert set to start.

Other notable Chiefs who will sit include wide receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip/ankle) and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (calf). Defensive end Mike Danna and offensive tackle Donovan Smith are also inactive.

Rice had already been ruled out on Friday. Rice was 58 yards away from passing Dwayne Bowe (996) for most yards receiving by a Chiefs rookie.

The Chargers (5-11) will not have wide receiver Keenan Allen for the fourth straight game because of a heel injury. Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (shoulder), guard Zion Johnson (neck), defensive lineman Nick Williams, wide receiver Jalen Guyton, safety JT Woods, running back Isaiah Spiller are also inactive.

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Reporting by The Associated Press.