Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes put to rest any idea that he would not be available for Sunday’s high-stakes AFC championship game.
Shortly after coach Andy Reid told reporters that Mahomes would likely be ready for practice Wednesday, the quarterback stepped onto the podium and revealed that his injured ankle was improving.
«It’s going well. A few days of treatment, a few days of rehab,» the MVP candidate said. «Excited to be on the practice field and try it out and see where I’m at. But, so far, I feel good.»
Mahomes, who sprained his ankle during the first half of Saturday’s 27-20 divisional round playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, began receiving treatment for the sprain shortly after the win and has maintained he will be in the soccer field for the AFC Championship. .
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Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks towards the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
«I was able to do some additional tests, just to make sure everything was okay the night after the game. And then I did a few things to help get the treatment started,» Mahomes said. «And then the next few days have been kind of a full day where you’re doing treatment or rehab or watching a movie.»
«But it’s a full-day thing where you’re trying to make sure you’re obviously prepared for the Bengals and the great football team, mentally and physically.»
PATRICK MAHOMES PUSHES THROUGH THE ANKLE VS. JAGUARS; CHIEFS ADVANCE TO FIFTH STRAIGHT GAME OF AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.
(David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Mahomes was able to get back into the game against Jacksonville in the second half, but his playing style changed noticeably. During the regular season he led the league in out-of-pocket passes, but was among tackles for the remainder of the divisional round game.
In Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season, Mahomes sprained his left ankle, while Saturday’s injury was to his right ankle.
«Especially when you have different ankles at quarterback, you’re planting and throwing different things,» Mahomes said. «So the last one, it was the leg that I landed on, so I had to find other ways to throw where I could land and keep it in the right place. This time, I’m going to have to find ways to be able to push off and still be able to throw the right way. So definitely similar in a sense, but with different limitations and things I’ll have to figure out.»
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Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs calls for a play in scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The five-time Pro Bowler noted that his right ankle feels better than expected, but acknowledged that he would have to work on the injury during Sunday’s game.
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«I’ll push a little bit today, and then the next day, and then the next day again and I’ll see what I can do to not re-aggravate the injury, obviously, but I’ll push to see what I’ll be able to do on Sunday,» Mahomes said.