Monday Injury Rounds: Tight End Update

Jene Bramel's Monday Injury Rounds: Tight End Update Jene Bramel Published 06/03/2019

During the regular season, details on player injuries are now reported on a seemingly minute-to-minute schedule. Information is less readily available through March. But as teams get closer to free agency, the draft, and post-draft mini-camps, new details emerge.

Players must make final decisions on surgical interventions to give themselves enough time to finish rehab before the end of training camp. Coaches and players are more readily available for questions at the scouting combine, the draft, and mini-camps. And the decisions front offices and coaching staffs make in free agency and the draft sometimes hint at where teams believe their injured veterans may be in their recovery.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be reviewing player injuries by position. I'll examine critical or confusing situations in depth. Expectations on all relevant injuries will be included in a table at the end of each article.

I'll keep each feature up-to-date through OTAs and minicamps, then combine all positions into one feature as training camps and the regular season approach.

Quarterback Update
Running Back Update
Wide Receiver Update
Tight End Update

Tight End update

Travis Kelce | ankle surgery | Late February 2019 | probable for training camp

Kelce reportedly had a "clean up" procedure in February. Details on Kelce's condition and decision to have surgery have not been reported but it's common for players to address nagging injuries in the offseason. Kelce was allowed to weight bear without a walking boot in early April. He's been working on range of motion and strengthening exercises but will not be cleared for offseason workouts. He'll have over three months of rehab time prior to the beginning of training camp and there are no known concerns thus far. The Chiefs expect Kelce to be ready for camp. Unless he's unable to pass his pre-camp physical examination, Kelce should be on the active roster and ready to condition for the regular season.

Jack Doyle | hip surgery | Late February 2019 | questionable for training camp
Eric Ebron | Core abdominal muscle repair | April 2019 | Probable for training camp

Doyle missed multiple games after what appeared to be a subluxation (i.e. partial dislocation) of his left hip early in the 2018 season. He returned to play later in the season before lacerating his kidney and going on injured reserve. The kidney injury required a procedure to heal but will not be an issue in 2019.

The Colts have not released details on the nature of Doyle's surgery but it's reasonable to speculate he had a labral repair to improve the stability of his hip after last year's injury. It's believed the surgery was done in February. Rehab protocols usually allow for a return to sport-specific training within 3-4 months and there are reports Doyle could be cleared to practice in time for the Colts' June minicamp. Doyle reportedly lost 20 pounds while recovering from the kidney injury and early post-surgical rehab on his hip. Reports suggesting a return to practice in June are reassuring but it won't be surprising if Doyle starts camp on the PUP list while the Colts continue to evaluate his readiness.

Ebron had core muscle surgery in April. While that sounds late in the offseason for surgery, recovery from these procedures is usually in the 4-6 week range. Ebron will likely miss offseason workouts but should be on the active roster in camp.


Tight Ends
Player Team Injury Date Player/Team Says FBGs Expects Notes
Travis Kelce KC Ankle surgery Late February 2019 Not participating in OTAs Probable for training camp
Jack Doyle Ind Hip surgery Late February 2019 Not participating in OTAs Questionable for training camp Labral repair?
Eric Ebron Ind Core abdominal muscle repair April 2019 Not participating in OTAs Probable for training camp
Greg Olsen Car Right fifth metatarsal fracture fixation revision Late December 2018 Limited in OTAs Probable for training camp Cleared to return
Hunter Henry LAC Right ACL reconstruction Late May 2018 Participating in OTAs Ready for training camp
Delanie Walker Ten Right ankle dislocation/fibula fracture Early September 2018 Limited in OTAs Probable for training camp
Jonnu Smith Ten Left MCL sprain Early December 2018 Not participating in OTAs Probable for training camp
Trey Burton Chi Core abdominal muscle repair Early January 2019 Not participating in OTAs Probable for training camp
Hayden Hurst Bal Foot stress fracture August 2018 Participating in OTAs Ready for training camp
Tyler Kroft Buf Right foot fracture fixation revision Late May 2019 Not participating in OTAs Likely PUP to start camp
Cameron Brate TB Hip labrum repair Mid-January 2019 Not participating in OTAs Questionable for training camp
Tyler Eifert Cin Right ankle dislocation/fibula fracture Late September 2018 Limited in OTAs Probable for training camp
Jordan Reed Was Right toe sprain Mid-December 2018 Skipped voluntary workouts Probable for training camp
Garrett Celek SF Concussion Late December 2018 Not participating in OTAs Questionable for training camp Yet to be cleared
Will Dissly Sea Right patellar tendon repair Early October 2018 Not participating in OTAs Likely PUP to start camp
Geoff Swaim Jac Left wrist fracture fixation Mid-November 2018 Participating in OTAs Ready for training camp
Jake Butt Den Left ACL reconstruction Late September 2018 Not participating in OTAs Questionable for training camp
Austin Seferian-Jenkins NE Core abdominal muscle repair Early October 2018 Limited in OTAs Probable for training camp

Check back for more injury analysis throughout training camp and follow on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news, commentary, and analysis of injury news around the NFL

Photos provided by Imagn Images