The NFL Combine will be without another top prospect according to Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, as Cincinnati tight end Travis Kelce will be unable to work out this weekend due to an abdominal tear he sustained prior to the Senior Bowl. He joins Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short, California wide receiver Keenan Allen, and Dee Milliner of Alabama -- all of whom will be unable to work out due to injuries.
NFL combine 2013: Travis Kelce injures abdominal, not working out
Another one of the draft’s top prospects will miss this weekend’s combine due to injury
Andy Lyons
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Regarded as a second-round prospect, Kelce cemented himself as one of the draft's top tight ends with 722 yards receiving, and eight touchdowns. His 6-6 frame makes him a large target in the passing game, and he shows a high level of ability. As more teams make use of multiple tight end sets, the value for them in early rounds increases greatly. In the 2012 draft the Indianapolis Colts elected to select two of the draft's top propects in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, in order to give plenty of options to rookie Andrew Luck. So too a team looking for a QB early could try to give him a reliable safety net.
Travis Kelce is the brother of Philadelphia Eagles' center Jason. While family bloodlines don't play into where a player is drafted, at least teams will know he comes from good stock. Unable to participate this weekend, Kelce will now wait for Cincinnati's pro day to show teams that he's recovered, and in NFL shape. Unless something goes awry in his rehabilitation, it's unlikely this set back will severely hurt his draft stock.
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