Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ star tight end, continues to be one of the most talked-about names in the NFL in 2025 — both for his on-field status and his past off-field incidents. Fans are asking the big questions: Is Kelce playing today? And why was he suspended in college? Let’s break it down.
Is Travis Kelce Playing Today?
As of December 26, 2025, there is no official news confirming that Travis Kelce is suspended or sidelined due to injury for today’s game.
Kelce is expected to play if he is active on the Chiefs’ roster for their upcoming match — with no current reports from the NFL or Kansas City Chiefs that he’s been ruled out. In the 2025 season, Kelce remained a key offensive weapon for Kansas City, and although there has been heavy speculation about his future and potential retirement, he has continued to play through the season.
Here’s what’s shaping the narrative around his playing status:
Retirement & Team Status
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Kelce has dropped hints about possibly considering retirement after a challenging season marked by the Chiefs missing the playoffs.
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However, he has not announced an immediate retirement and continues to play while focusing on finishing out the season strong.
Recent Game Context
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On Christmas night 2025, Kelce played — registering catches and contributing to the game — showing he’s active and participating.
Bottom line: Unless the Chiefs announce an injury report or inactive list including Kelce today, he is expected to play.
Why Was Travis Kelce Suspended in College?
One of the most commonly searched questions about Kelce’s past relates to a college suspension during his time at the University of Cincinnati.
What Happened?
Travis Kelce was suspended for the entire 2010 college season after failing a drug test for marijuana — a violation of team and university rules at the time.
He lost his scholarship and eligibility to play that year. The suspension was a major turning point in his career.
How It Changed His Path
Rather than ending his football journey, the suspension indirectly helped redefine it:
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Kelce was encouraged to switch positions — from wildcat quarterback to tight end.
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This position change became the foundation of his NFL success as one of the best tight ends in league history.
Draft Impact
The suspension also affected his entry into the NFL:
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Kelce has publicly said that teams were wary of drafting him due to the red flag from his drug suspension — and this potentially dropped him a round or more in the draft.
Today, this college suspension is viewed as more of a learning moment in Kelce’s life that helped shape his professional path.
Final Thoughts
Playing Status
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Active and likely playing today — no official suspension or injury listed.
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Ongoing retirement speculation does not impact his participation right now.
College Suspension
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Occurred in 2010 due to failing a marijuana test
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Served as a significant career pivot, moving him to the tight end position that made him an NFL legend.
