While the NFL world awaits the latest news about Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ quarterback returned to the training ground on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. Mahomes, who remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, has in practice joined running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle / hip) and receiver Sammy Watkins (calf). Both players were inactive for Kansas City’s victory over Cleveland in last Sunday’s divisional playoff game.
Mahomes left last Sunday’s game after being hit in the back of the head by Browns linebacker Mack Wilson. Mahomes currently has no symptoms after suffering the injury, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
“He’s in the protocol, so there are only certain things he can do,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Mahomes after training. “It’s a limited base. But today it’s limited practice, so it fits perfectly with what he can do. He took all the pictures. He feels good. So, let’s just follow this protocol as closely as possible.”
Mahomes completed 70% of his passes before leaving Sunday’s game. He also ran and went through touchdowns, helping the Chiefs to build a 19-3 lead at halftime. After Mahomes left the game, Chad Henne, 35, did enough to help send the Chiefs to their third consecutive AFC title game. Facing a third and 14th in the final race of the game, Henne’s 13-yard race set her decisive conclusion for Tyreek Hill on the fourth downhill. The Chiefs defeated the Browns 22 to 17, becoming the first AFC team to host three consecutive title games.
If he plays on Sunday, Mahomes will face a Bills defense that kept Lamar Jackson and the Ravens with just three points in the divisional round victory over Baltimore last Saturday. Ahead 10-3 at the end of the third quarter, Taron Johnson’s 101-yard interception return sealed Buffalo’s first trip to the AFC title game since 1993. In that game, the Bills defeated the Chiefs 30-13 to mark his fourth consecutive trip to the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs are the three-point favorites, according to the William Hill Sportsbook, with the Over / Under set at 53.5 points.