Patrick Mahomes injury update: Chiefs QB trending in the right direction

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provided the injury update all fans wanted to hear — quarterback Patrick Mahomes is progressing in the right direction.

Kansas City Chiefs fans may have thought “we won, but at what cost,” following their 27-20 Divisional Round victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first half, quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain after getting tackled by defensive lineman Arden Key.

After leaving briefly, Mahomes returned to the game, but was noticeably hobbling. Considering it is a high ankle sprain, Chiefs fans worried if Mahomes would even be ready to play in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Well, there’s some good news to share, Chiefs fans.

On Wednesday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid revealed that Mahomes participated in team walkthroughs and that he will be participating in practice.

Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes will practice on Tuesday after ankle injury

In case you needed any further evidence, Mahomes spoke with the media, and there was no walking boot in sight. The following clip comes courtesy of ESPN’s Michele Steele.

During the Divisional Round game, Mahomes was visibly frustrated on the sidelines about potentially missing playing time. He ultimately went to the locker room to get checked out by members of the team’s training staff.

Reid called upon veteran backup Chad Henne to fill in briefly. He had experience coming up with some clutch plays for the Chiefs in the playoffs, such as his game-clinching run in the 2020 Divisional Round against the Browns. He did so yet again, orchestrating a 98-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce to give Kansas City a 16-7 lead before halftime.

The Chiefs face a formidable foe once again, as they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game for the second year in a row. Kansas City has not one a game against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow just yet. Not to mention, this is a team that has played spoiler throughout the playoffs, including their 27-10 win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. That’s right, Cincinnati’s defense held Buffalo’s offense to just 10 points.

While it will be interesting to see how Mahomes’ ankle will be on Sunday during the game, you can never count the team out when he’s on the football field.