Travis Kelce COVID Update Clouds Week 16 Fantasy Outlook

Travis Kelce has been placed on the COVID reserve list after his matchup-winning performance in Week 15. Kelce now must pass through strict protocols in order to be cleared to play on Sunday after testing positive for COVID-19.

Travis Kelce Injury Update

This devlopment puts a cloud over his Week 16 fantasy outlook.

Chiefs now have six players in the COVID protocols

- Travis Kelce
- Chris Jones
- Charvarius Ward
- Harrison Butker
- Josh Gordon
- Willie Gay

However, source tells me nobody on that list has more than "cold-like symptoms" which bodes well for a quick turnaround
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) December 20, 2021

Travis Kelce Fantasy Outlook

The NFL's recently updated COVID protocols could allow Kelce to quickly return from the reserve list given that he's vaccinated. He needs to be asymptomatic and test negative twice 24 hours apart in order to be cleared, so he could have enough time to meet those requirements before Sunday's game.

Losing Kelce would be a major blow heading into the next round of the fantasy football playoffs. He likely carried some managers to a win in Week 15 with the 10 catches, 191 yards and 2 TDs he put up against the Los Angeles Chargers.

If Kelce is cleared, he could potentially be Patrick Mahomes' clear-cut No. 1 target after Tyreek Hill was placed on the COVID list on Tuesday. Hill now has one less day than Kelce (who hit the list on Monday) to pass protocols, which could be crucial in determining his status for Week 16.

The Pittsburgh Steelers present a tough test on Sunday, as they allow the eighth-fewest PPR points per game to TEs this season, but managers should roll out Kelce without hesitation as long as he's active.

SIGN UP AND GET AN INSTANT DEPOSIT BONUS UP TO 500! We'll match 20% of your first deposit on FanDuel Fantasy Sports. Max bonus $500

Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.