After sustaining a excessive proper ankle sprain within the fourth quarter of a victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems set to play on Saturday when Kansas Metropolis hosts the Houston Texans.
Initially saddled with a restoration interval described as week-to-week, Mahomes was listed as a full participant in observe on Tuesday and aimed to start out for the Chiefs (13-1) this weekend. Head coach Andy Reid indicated Thursday that Mahomes “almost certainly” will play.
“That is the explanation you play this recreation is to push to play,” Mahomes mentioned earlier within the week. “So I will get the work in observe and attempt to push it to see the place I get to. However on the finish of the day, I am not going to place our staff in a foul place. So if I really feel that I can play and go on the market and win a soccer recreation, I will play. If I do not really feel that is the best-case situation, I will let Carson (Wentz) play.
“It is nearly pushing it this week, seeing the place I am at and making the very best determination then.”
Mahomes projected optimism after making progress with remedy that adopted the Sunday victory. With the AFC West title already within the bag and a two-game lead over the Buffalo Payments within the race for the highest seed within the AFC, the Chiefs aren’t precisely pressed to push Mahomes for a whole 4 quarters if he does play.
“Clearly we have put ourselves in a very good place the place I would not say it is dire that I play,” Mahomes mentioned. “We’ve a bit little bit of room to spare, however on the finish of the day, we’re making an attempt to win. And I am a competitor and I wish to go on the market and play.
“I will push myself to get to the very best place attainable over these subsequent few days and we’ll decide then.”
Like Kansas Metropolis, the Texans (9-5) have already got clinched a playoff berth, securing their second consecutive AFC South crown with their 20-12 dwelling win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Whereas the Texans might elevate their seeding with a robust closing kick, the probability that they continue to be fourth within the standings appears as believable as igniting a sudden, late-season surge.
That leaves Houston dealing with the annual predicament loads of groups face after locking up a postseason berth whereas a handful of video games stay within the common season: How will the Texans method the ultimate three contests upfront of a wild-card tilt as soon as the schedule is full?
“Though we have clinched the AFC South, it nonetheless does not change our method,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned. “Once we line up and play, we’re nonetheless making an attempt to enhance as a soccer staff in all areas and attempt to play our greatest ball when playoffs time hits. So, we’re making an attempt to nonetheless enhance, nonetheless do our greatest.”
The primary recreation for the Texans with the playoffs assured will hinge as a lot on Mahomes’ availability as their effort. Even contemplating the Chiefs’ general excellence, Mahomes stays the final word game-changer, and the Texans’ odds for achievement are higher if he rests.
“I don’t know on if he is taking part in or not, so I actually cannot concentrate on it or be involved about it,” Ryans mentioned. “… The sunshine shines on Patrick quite a bit, however for those who watch the Chiefs play, their protection is an excellent unit.
“Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense, they will discover a approach irrespective of who’s there, they’re going to discover a approach to transfer the soccer. And so, we simply need to be on it in all areas of the sport whether or not Patrick is there or not.”
The Texans’ quarterback, C.J. Stroud, threw a mixed three landing passes and no interceptions over the previous two video games, however his yardage whole in that span (373 mixed) wasn’t large. And Joe Mixon was held to 23 yards on 12 carries towards the Dolphins after topping 100 yards in six of the earlier eight weeks.
Houston has dominated out 4 gamers: defensive deal with Foley Fatukasi (ankle), vast receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), middle Juice Scruggs (foot) and tight finish Cade Stover (sickness) . Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (foot) and backup quarterback Davis Mills (sickness) went from non-participants Tuesday to full contributors Thursday. Linebacker Christian Harris (ankle) discovered his approach onto the harm report and is questionable to play.
Deal with D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and defensive again Chamarri Conner (concussion) have been dominated out. Broad receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown will make his Chiefs debut after an injured-reserve stint brought on by a shoulder ailment
–Area Stage Media
