KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said on Monday that he did not know whether Patrick Mahomes would eliminate the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to play the AFC Championship Game next Sunday. But Reid indicated that Mahomes may have felt well enough to return to Sunday’s divisional round game.
After being hit and thrown to the ground, Mahomes got up and staggered momentarily. He then headed for a brief examination in the side medical stall before quickly descending a series of steps and then running up the tunnel from Arrowhead Stadium to the Chiefs’ locker room.
“There was a chance on the day that Patrick came back [the game], ” Reid said. “You saw him running through the tunnel. When he got to that point, he was feeling very well. But there is a certain protocol that you have to follow and that takes you out of the coach’s hand, the player’s hand and the doctor’s hand. ”
Mahomes was replaced in the third quarter by Chad Henne, who ended the Chiefs’ 22–17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The Chiefs face Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Arrowhead in the AFC title game. Reid said they would have a plan if Mahomes or Henne starts as a defender.
“Because of the protocol, it’s a no-brainer from the coach’s point of view,” said Reid. “You don’t have to think about it. You just have to go ahead and make sure you have an answer if he’s there and an answer if he’s not there. I can’t tell you from a medical point of view. I don’t know That’s their decision and I just follow it. ”