Chiefs’ Reid: Mahomes ‘going to play’ vs Cincy for AFC title

Andy Reid, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, said on Monday that All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play in Sunday’s AFC championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals because the high ankle sprain Mahomes suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars is not as severe as the one he played through in the 2019 season opener.

The local press can expect to see him play, Reid assured them. Yes, in his opinion it is that way.

On Saturday’s victory over Jacksonville, pass rusher Arden Key fell awkwardly on Mahomes’ right ankle, causing the injury. Reid and the training staff made Mahomes receive an X-ray (which came out negative) and perform some agility testing at halftime before allowing him to return to the game after he finished the drive while limping significantly.

Chiefs backup quarterback Chad Henne, meanwhile, guided his team to a 27-20 victory with a 12-play, 98-yard touchdown drive.

Although Mahomes improved as the game progressed, the Chiefs had to make significant adjustments to their attack to accommodate his decreased mobility.

Instead of his trademark scuffling to buy time and off-scheduled deliveries, Mahomes mostly threw from the pocket and seldom went beneath center.

He finished with 195 passing yards and two scores, including the game-winner with 7 minutes left.