The Kansas City Chiefs superior to their fifth-straight AFC Championship Game on Saturday, dispatching the Jacksonville Jaguars by a closing rating of 27-20.
However, 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 sport, 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.
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. According to Schefter, Mahomes “plans to play” subsequent weekend within the AFC Championship Game.
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 Network reported on Saturday evening that x-rays taken of Mahomes’ proper leg have been unfavourable, however the quarterback probably suffered a excessive ankle sprain.
After the victory, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid praised his quarterback’s toughness:
“He’s a tough kid. So, he wanted to be in there. He wanted to be competing. It’s a tribute to him and his competitiveness. However, you got to make sure he’s physically OK where he can protect himself. If he can’t then he can’t play, and we have to go to the next guy. But he’s a tough nut. I tell you, he’s competitive. He’s very, very competitive.”
The QB spoke with Melissa Stark after the sport as effectively:
“I did want to go and they kind of gave me the ultimatum of I wasn’t going back in unless I went in [to be examined]. They’re trying to take care of me, and we’ve got a lot of great people here. It will take a lot to keep me out of a football game.”
Mahomes additionally spoke after the sport concerning the harm, making the purpose that his expertise, and skill, in making off-platform throws probably helped him after the harm:
Patrick Mahomes on enjoying by his ankle harm:
“Obviously I missed some throws I feel I might’ve made if I have been in the proper foot place. But fortunately for me, I’m not in the proper foot place on a regular basis, so I’m in a position to 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 mentioned after the sport, it’s virtually not possible to assume that Mahomes won’t be on the market for the the AFC Championship Game. The greater story to watch, nevertheless, can 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 “pretty severe” 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 useful he’s subsequent weekend, can be an enormous story over the approaching days.
This submit can be up to date as additional data on Mahomes is supplied.