Chiefs’ Mahomes returned to practice ahead of AFC Championship Game, but will he play?
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes returned to the practice field Wednesday, three days after an injury prompted his early departure from a playoff game and he entered the NFL concussion protocol.
It’s a potential step toward a return for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, though it’s not the final one.
“He looked good. He’s in the protocol, so there’s only certain things he can do, and it’s a limited basis, but today is a limited practice, so this fit right into what he could do,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
The Chiefs later officially categorized Mahomes’ level of practice as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice session and tweeted a brief video clip of the quarterback taking a snap and throwing the football.
The Chiefs play host to the Bills at 5:40 p.m. Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Will Mahomes be part of that game?
He must clear the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol to answer affirmatively, a process that concludes with clearance from an independent neurological consultant.
Mahomes was tackled on a quarterback run during the third quarter of Sunday’s 22-17 playoff win against the Browns. When he attempted to stand, he staggered, needing help from teammate Mike Remmers to balance.
Mahomes jogged to the locker room, where he passed ensuing evaluation tests, Reid said. But he did not return to the game.
The Chiefs have not said whether Mahomes was actually diagnosed with a concussion, but he is in the league’s concussion protocol. A player can be placed in the protocol with symptoms of a concussion.
Reid said cornerback Bashaud Breeland remains in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s game to be evaluated for a head injury and is “working through it.” He was able to practice Wednesday, as were rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (hip, ankle) and veteran receiver Sammy Watkins (calf).
The only Chiefs player who did not practice in some measure Wednesday was rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (ankle).
This story was originally published January 20, 2021 at 1:24 PM.
