Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered an upper right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns, but is expected to play in Kansas City’s home game against the Houston Texans on Saturday.
Initially, Mahomes was busy with weekly recovery periods, but he participated fully in Tuesday’s practice and was aiming to start this weekend against the Chiefs (13-1). Head coach Andy Reid indicated Thursday that Mahomes is “most likely to play.”
“The reason we’re playing this game is to push us to play,” Mahomes said earlier this week. “So, I’m going to do my job in practice and see how far I can get. But at the end of the day, I’m not going to put the team in a bad position. So if I feel like it, I’m going to play and play the football game.” If we can win, if I don’t think that’s the best scenario, I’m going to let Carson (Wentz) play.
“This week I’m just going to push, see where I’m at and make the best decision at the time.”
Mahomes expressed optimism as his treatment progresses following Sunday’s win. The Chiefs don’t need to run Mahomes for a full four quarters if he plays, as they already have won the AFC West title and are two games behind the Buffalo Bills for the top seed in the AFC.
“Obviously, we’re putting ourselves in a good position where you can’t say we’re playing disastrously,” Mahomes said. “We have a little bit of leeway, but at the end of the day, we’re trying to win. And I’m a competitor and I want to go out there and play.
“I’m going to push myself to get to the best place possible over the next few days and then I’ll make a decision.”
Like Kansas City, the Texans (9-5) have already clinched a playoff berth, clinching their second straight AFC South title with a 20-12 home win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. There is.
The Texans could improve their seeding with a strong closing kick, but staying fourth in the standings is just as plausible as igniting a sudden late-season surge.
So Houston will face a predicament that many teams face every year after clinching a postseason berth with a few games left in the regular season: The Texans will be forced into a wild-card spot after their schedule is completed. How will you approach the final three tournaments before the tilt?
“Even though we won the AFC South, our approach remains the same,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “When we line up and play, we’re trying to improve as a football team in every aspect and trying to play our best ball as playoff time approaches. So we’re still trying to improve. I’m doing my best.”
The Texans’ first game, with a playoff berth assured, will depend as much on Mahomes’ performance as it will on their effort. Even considering the Chiefs’ overall excellence, Mahomes remains the ultimate game-changer, and the Texans have a better chance of success if he rests.
“I can’t really focus or worry about it because I have no idea if he’s playing or not,” Lyons said. “…Patrick gets a lot of credit, but when you watch the Chiefs play, their defense is an outstanding unit.
“Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense are going to find a way to move the football no matter who’s there. So we just have to work on that in every area of our team.” Patrick’s presence or absence is a make or break. . ”
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud has thrown a combined three touchdown passes and no interceptions in the past two games, but his total yards (373 total) over that span haven’t been that high. And Joe Mixon was held to 23 yards on 12 carries against the Dolphins after eclipsing 100 yards in six of the past eight weeks.
Houston has ruled out four players: defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (ankle), wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), center Juice Scruggs (foot) and tight end Cade Stover (illness). Linebacker Delshawn Phillips (foot) and backup quarterback Davis Mills (illness) went from being absent on Tuesday to being full participants on Thursday. Linebacker Christian Harris (ankle) is on the injury report and is questionable to play.
Tackle DJ Humphries (hamstring) and defensive back Chamari Conner (concussion) are out. Wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is scheduled to make his Chiefs debut after being on injured reserve due to shoulder ailment.
–Field level media
