Travis Kelce has spent the offseason in an unfamiliar place: on the sidelines.
The All-Pro tight end has been a spectator throughout the offseason program thus far after undergoing surgery to clean up his ankle.
Kelce told Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney on Wednesday night that he's on track to return for training camp in late July.
"I'm ready to go," Kelce said. "It's kind of been a little bit of an experience just not being able to really go out there and train for the upcoming season quite yet. I don't know if I've had an injury that hasn't allowed me to get on the field, at least a little bit in the offseason, outside of my knee surgery my first year."
Since a knee injury wiped out all but one game during his rookie campaign in 2013, Kelce hasn't missed a tilt for medical reasons the past five years. The veteran is ready to put the offseason behind him and get back to practicing with teammates.
"It's been a little frustrating," he said. "I want to get out there and mesh with everyone and teach, have fun and get better. But right now, just getting healthy is the main thing, and I think we're there. I think by the time training camp comes around, I'll be 100 percent."
Kelce's health is vital for the Chiefs this season after K.C. watched his backup, Demetrius Harris, defect to Cleveland, and with the Tyreek Hill situation looming over the entire operation.
The 29-year-old said that while he's comfortable helping teach the younger guys, he's tired of being sidelined during practices.
"I'm sick of everyone snickering in the background," he laughed. "'Coach Travis! Coach Kelce!' I'm over that at this point. I just want to get out there and play football."
That's the plan come training camp.
