KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs are making ready for Patrick Mahomes to start out Saturday’s sport towards the Houston Texans, but when their star quarterback’s ailing ankle prevents that from occurring, they consider they are often profitable if backup Carson Wentz performs.
“We now have full confidence in Carson,” coach Andy Reid mentioned. “If he has to step in and play, then I believe everyone, coaches and gamers, has full confidence that he can go in and do a pleasant job. “He is began within the league and been profitable. He is received an excellent really feel for this offense. Very sensible, massive arm. I like the best way he carries himself. I like every little thing about him. He must be beginning on this league someplace, so he is a heck of a participant.”
Mahomes mentioned he is happy with the progress his injured proper ankle has made since he suffered a excessive ankle sprain in Sunday’s 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns. He mentioned this harm is not as extreme as an analogous one he obtained in a 2022 divisional spherical playoff sport towards the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Then, he returned to the sport after a brief break and performed in each the AFC Championship Sport towards the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tremendous Bowl towards the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Clearly, it is soccer and you are going to take hits, however you need to have the ability to defend your self. In order that’ll be the place I am at and I do not wish to restrict the sport plan. That is one other factor for me is I would like to have the ability to transfer across the pocket so we’re not simply sitting in a single spot the entire total sport and letting their D-line actually get after it. It is about me discovering that steadiness and seeing the place I am at … I will not know till type of near the top of this week.”
Patrick Mahomes, on his ankle harm
“That [injury] was fairly important,” Mahomes mentioned. “However I wish to be in a greater spot than I used to be in that subsequent sport going up towards the Bengals. So, I am going to attempt to see if I can get there.
“I would like to have the ability to transfer. I would like to have the ability to get out of the best way. [Houston’s] is an efficient cross rush, a great protection. They fly round. You do not wish to go on the market and put your self in hurt’s method. Clearly, it is soccer and you are going to take hits, however you need to have the ability to defend your self. In order that’ll be the place I am at and I do not wish to restrict the sport plan. That is one other factor for me is I would like to have the ability to transfer across the pocket so we’re not simply sitting in a single spot the entire total sport and letting their D-line actually get after it. It is about me discovering that steadiness and seeing the place I am at … I will not know till type of near the top of this week.”
Mahomes was listed as a full participant in Tuesday’s follow.
The 13-1 Chiefs have clinched the AFC West championship and a playoff spot however are chasing the AFC’s No. 1 seed, which carries a first-round postseason bye and home-field benefit. They’d clinch with two wins of their ultimate three video games so they might lose to Texans however nonetheless get the highest seed by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos within the ultimate two video games.
“I would not say it is dire that I play,” Mahomes mentioned. “It is not within the AFC Championship Sport the place we’re taking part in to get to the Tremendous Bowl. We now have just a little little bit of room to type of spare, however on the finish of the day, we’re attempting to win. We’re attempting to win the soccer sport and I am a competitor. I wish to go on the market and play, so I am going to push myself to get to the most effective place potential over these subsequent few days and we’ll be capable of decide then.
“I am not going to place our staff in a foul place. If I really feel like I can play and go on the market and win a soccer sport, I am going to play. And if I do not really feel like that is the best-case situation, I am going to let guys like Carson play. He is a man that is profitable this league as effectively, so it is nearly pushing it this week, seeing the place I am at and making the most effective determination.”
Wentz is in his first season with the Chiefs. He changed Mahomes within the fourth quarter of the sport towards the Browns.
Reid mentioned Mahomes has requested him why Wentz does not have a beginning job someplace within the NFL himself and recommended Wentz would have a kind of jobs subsequent season.
“That is the conversations you hear with guys which might be in that room,” Reid mentioned. “Selfishly, I might wish to maintain him right here in his place, however I type of know what is going on on on the market with quarterbacks and this man is I believe actually good.”
