Chiefs followers held their collective breath throughout Kansas Metropolis’s playoff sport in opposition to Jacksonville final weekend, as Patrick Mahomes went down within the first quarter when Arden Key fell onto his ankle, hobbling the star quarterback.
Mahomes, visibly pissed off, was escorted to the locker room briefly after the damage, however he returned to the sport after only one drive for the Chiefs. Mahomes would have performed the remainder of the sport, however he was clearly hindered by the damage.
It has been confirmed Mahomes suffered a excessive ankle sprain, however he’s anticipated to play in opposition to the Bengals on Sunday. With that being stated, it could possibly be a severe affect on his mobility in opposition to a line of defense that has performed very properly thus far within the postseason. Mix that with the Bengals’ success in opposition to Mahomes prior to now, and the standing of his ankle may be very a lot a consider speaking about this sport.
Mahomes was a full participant in apply on each Wednesday and Thursday, so there isn’t any cause to assume he will not be a full go Sunday. Nonetheless, there will probably be lots of deal with the ankle and the way the Bengals go after him.
MORE: How Joe Burrow vs. Patrick Mahomes compares to Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning
Is Patrick Mahomes enjoying vs. Bengals?
Mahomes suffered an ankle damage in opposition to the Jaguars, however he’s anticipated to play in opposition to the Bengals Sunday within the AFC Championship Recreation.
The Chiefs had been overwhelmed by the Bengals in final 12 months’s convention title sport and the common season this 12 months, so revenge is undoubtedly on Mahomes’ thoughts. Nonetheless, he sat out only one drive in opposition to the Jaguars earlier than returning to the sport.
The Chiefs should control Mahomes’ ankle on this sport, as mobility is necessary in opposition to a Bengals protection that has been hyper-aggressive thus far.
Mahomes, nonetheless, is a full participant in apply this week, indicating he feels comfy with the place he is at.
MORE: Mahomes bought recommendation from Tom Brady this week
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes will probably be beginning on Friday.
HC Chiefs Andy Reid confirms Patrick Mahomes (ankle) will begin Sunday vs. Bengals noting “he is transferring round good.”
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 27, 2023
Patrick Mahomes damage replace
Mahomes was questionable to return initially after his damage, however he would come again after only one drive (by which Chad Henne led the Chiefs 98 yards downfield for a landing).
An MRI confirmed no structural harm to Mahomes, and on Monday it was stated he had a excessive ankle sprain.
Simply bought out of #chiefs apply. We watched Patrick Mahomes throw three passes. Right here they’re all three. Subsequent time we see him on the sector it is going to be at Arrowhead Sunday vs the #bengals pic.twitter.com/0VePAnUmqK
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 27, 2023
MORE: Chiefs again as favorites over Bengals following betting line shifts over Mahomes’ damage
Who’s the Chiefs backup quarterback?
Chiefs (and Jaguars) followers bought a great have a look at the backup final week, when Chad Henne got here into the sport and went 5 of seven passing for 23 yards and a landing on a 98-yard TD drive.
Henne, a longtime NFL quarterback, has settled properly into his position as a backup. After beginning early in his NFL profession, the Michigan graduate backed up Blake Bortles within the Jaguars’ 2017 AFC Championship Recreation run earlier than absconding to the Chiefs to backup Mahomes.
Henne has been with the Chiefs for the previous 4 years, and has began one sport in that point.
He confirmed on Sunday he is able to take the reins if wanted, however the Chiefs clearly will not be trying to go to him until out of absolute necessity. Shane Buechele follows Henne on the depth chart. The 2020 draftee is but to take an NFL snap.