DINH DOONG

Travis Kelce has been Patrick Mahomes’ trusted safety blanket throughout the quarterback’s NFL career.

The Kansas City Chiefs duo are one of the most formidable partnerships in football, with three Super Bowl triumphs to show for it.

But their connection seemed to be broken over the first three weeks of the season as Kelce managed just 69 yards.

Despite the Chiefs going 3-0, there was even talk of head coach Andy Reid benching the perennial Pro Bowler.

Reid quickly shut down Kelce’s critics – and the 34-year-old repaid his faith with a return to form against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Kelce managed seven catches for 90 yards to lead his team in a 17-10 victory that took the Chiefs to 4-0.

“Kelce did a  job of just getting in windows. And then when they did play, man, he was able to do a nice job there,” said Reid.

“It wasn’t as much double team as maybe seen or settling on him as much as he’s seen. So he did very good.

“I really don’t care what anybody thinks. I watch what the defense does and how they respect him, so I take it off of that.

“I watch Trav every day, so I get to see him and how he works. He never wants to come out and – practise the game – he’s all in all the time. I don’t worry about all that.”

Despite Kelce looking back to his old self, the Chiefs’ three-peat hopes will hinge on Mahomes getting back on track.

The passer admitted he was not at his best before facing the Chargers and threw a costly pick early in the game.

Incredibly, it was his fifth interception of the season – placing him level with under-fire  QB Will Levis.

Only Indianapolis Colts star Anthony Richardson has more with six.

Mahomes’ latest pick was probably his most damaging yet as the play led to Rashee Rice suffering a potentially season-ending injury.

The second-year receiver has been Mahomes’ go-to man with 24 catches for 288 yards.

Rice was carted off the field with a knee injury after colliding with Mahomes as he attempted to tackle Kristian Fulton on the interception return.

The Chiefs got the ball back, but Rice is feared to have torn his ACL in what would be a huge blow.

Reid confirmed the wideout would have an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

“I’m sure it’s not as good of news as we want,” he revealed.

“The guys stepped up and filled in as good as they can the role that [Rice] has in our offense, which is a big one,” Mahomes added.

“All we can do now is go back to the basics and try to get guys opportunities to succeed.

“With Rashee going out early, you’ve got to put Kelce back in that situation where he is getting high-volume catches.”

Rice’s KO – along with Isiah Pacheco’s fractured fibula and free agency signing Hollywood Brown being placed on IR – could be a fatal blow to many teams.

Luckily, Mahomes and the Chiefs can turn to one of the NFL’s greatest tight ends ever for comfort.

While the plan may have been to save Kelce for the playoffs, injuries may force Reid to get the veteran involved early and often.

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