Kansas City Chiefs fans can breathe a long sigh of relief as star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was not listed on the team’s injury report Thursday and appears slated to start Saturday against the Houston Texans.
The three-time Super Bowl champion suffered a right ankle injury in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns, seen hobbling to the sideline after taking a brutal hit that bent him over backward.
“He’ll most likely end up playing,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters Thursday (h/t Tom Pelissero). “We’ll just see how things work out today.”
Mahomes’ recovery is nothing short of remarkable, as he was considered “a long shot” to play in Week 16, per Reid’s own words.
“[He] amazes me every time he does it,” Reid said. “That guy, he’s so mentally tough. It’s just a mindset he has going into it … But he’s done well with it.”
Kansas City (13-1) is one of the league’s hottest teams despite every one of its victories coming in tight, dramatic fashion.
The franchise is very close to breaking a near-century-old record if it wins one more game by scoring 30 points or less.
Had Mahomes not been able to suit up for Saturday, that would’ve been almost inevitable given the team’s 11-8 record without him under center — only scoring more than 30 points once in those 11 wins.
If Kansas City defeats Houston on Saturday and the Buffalo Bills (11-3) fall to the division-rival New England Patriots on Sunday, the Chiefs would lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
With Mahomes now expected back to lead them, the Chiefs are in a much more strengthened position to make that scenario a reality or at least take one more step closer.
