The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs superior to their fifth-straight AFC Championship Recreation on Saturday, dispatching the Jacksonville Jaguars by a closing rating of 27-20.
Nonetheless, they acquired fairly the harm scare within the course of.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a leg harm within the first half of the sport, and didn’t return to the competition till after halftime. Mahomes initially stayed within the recreation, however was visibly hampered by the harm, struggling to even execute handoffs within the backfield. The QB was then despatched to the locker room, and Chad Henne changed him for the remainder of the primary half.
Wednesday updates:
With the Chiefs returning to the observe area on Wednesday, Kansas Metropolis head coach Andy Reid met with the media and supplied an replace on the QB. In line with Reid, Mahomes was a participant within the crew’s morning walkthrough, and is will observe on Wednesday afternoon:
Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid informed reporters that Patrick Mahomes will observe as we speak. “He did the walkthrough this morning and he’ll observe this afternoon,” Reid stated.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2023
Mahomes himself supplied an replace, indicating that he has been constantly receiving remedy since Saturday:
Patrick Mahomes needs to push it this week every day, ensure he does not worsen it, however needs to maintain testing it. He is been getting remedy constantly since Saturday night time. He hasn’t been house a lot count on to actually sleep.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 25, 2023
Mahomes elaborate additional throughout his media session:
I felt higher than I believed I used to be going to be after the sport. Shifting on it throughout the recreation positively damage, however after the sport I used to be capable of relaxation it and type of iced it up and do totally different stuff like that. I felt I used to be in somewhat bit higher place, and clearly the subsequent morning felt somewhat bit higher and proceed to be higher all through the week. So, we’ll see the way it will really feel as we speak at observe and I’ll get a greater really feel for y’all and I feel will have the ability to reply somewhat bit higher tomorrow.
He additionally talked concerning the similarities — and variations — between this harm and his earlier excessive ankle sprain, in addition to diving into quarterback mechanics:
It’s very comparable, only a totally different ankle. Particularly if you’re enjoying the quarterback place, you’re enjoying and throwing off totally different stuff. So, the final one, it was the leg that I landed on so I needed to discover a technique to throw the place I may land and hold it in the suitable spot, and this time I’ll discover methods to have the ability to push off and have the ability to nonetheless make throws the suitable manner. Positively comparable in a way however clearly totally different limitations and stuff that I’ve to work by.
Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Delight captured this footage of Mahomes throughout the media portion of Wednesday’s observe:
Monday updates:
Reid addressed the media on Monday, and indicated that the excessive ankle sprain Mahomes suffered on Saturday isn’t as extreme because the one he skilled again in 2019. Reid additionally famous that Mahomes has by no means performed with out practising, opening the door to Mahomes enjoying this week with out seeing the observe area:
Andy Reid stated this excessive ankle sprain isn’t as unhealthy because the one in 2019. He is getting remedy they usually’ll take it day-to-day. Reid stated Mahomes is planning to play. He is by no means performed with out practising, however it seems that hasn’t been dominated out if staying off it finally ends up the plan
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 23, 2023
Earlier updates:
In an replace Sunday morning, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Mahomes underwent an MRI of his ankle, which confirmed earlier reporting that the quarterback suffered a excessive ankle sprain. In line with Schefter, Mahomes “plans to play” subsequent weekend within the AFC Championship Recreation.
The harm got here on this hit from Jacksonville move rusher Arden Key:
Mahomes returned to the sport for the second half, and threw a landing whereas utilizing just one leg, and helped the Chiefs shut out their victory over the Jaguars.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Community reported on Saturday night time that x-rays taken of Mahomes’ proper leg have been adverse, however the quarterback seemingly suffered a excessive ankle sprain.
After the victory, Reid praised his quarterback’s toughness:
“He’s a tricky child. So, he needed to be in there. He needed to be competing. It’s a tribute to him and his competitiveness. Nonetheless, you bought to verify he’s bodily OK the place he can shield himself. If he can’t then he can’t play, and we’ve to go to the subsequent man. However he’s a tricky nut. I inform you, he’s aggressive. He’s very, very aggressive.”
The QB spoke with Melissa Stark after the sport as effectively:
“I did need to go they usually type of gave me the ultimatum of I wasn’t going again in until I went in [to be examined]. They’re making an attempt to handle me, and we’ve acquired quite a lot of nice individuals right here. It can take quite a bit to maintain me out of a soccer recreation.”
Mahomes additionally spoke after the sport concerning the harm, making the purpose that his expertise, and skill, in making off-platform throws seemingly helped him after the harm:
Patrick Mahomes on enjoying by his ankle harm:
“Clearly I missed some throws I feel I may’ve made if I have been in the suitable foot place. However fortunately for me, I am not in the suitable foot place on a regular basis, so I can make some throws like that anyhow.” pic.twitter.com/mtQUEbKhLZ
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 22, 2023
Given what each the quarterback and his head coach stated after the sport, it’s virtually unattainable to suppose that Mahomes won’t be on the market for the the AFC Championship Recreation. The larger story to observe, nonetheless, will probably be how the harm impacts Mahomes subsequent week, and past. The QB suffered a minor excessive ankle sprain again in 2019 and didn’t miss any time, however different quarterbacks who have been dealt this harm haven’t been as fortunate.
For instance, Mac Jones of the New England Patriots suffered a “fairly extreme” excessive ankle sprain earlier this season and missed three video games for New England. Baker Mayfield suffered a excessive ankle sprain towards the San Francisco 49ers this season, and missed three video games for the Carolina Panthers.
How Mahomes progresses, and the way practical he’s subsequent weekend, will probably be an enormous story over the approaching days.
This put up will probably be up to date as additional info on Mahomes is supplied.
