Patrick Mahomes seems like he’s on track to take the field on Saturday.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, who left during a win over the Cleveland Browns early last week and was later diagnosed with a “mild” high ankle sprain, was a full participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
While things can still change, that’s a good initial sign that Mahomes will be able to start on Saturday in their game against the Houston Texans.
Mahomes was tackled awkwardly and landed with his legs pinned in the fourth quarter of their 21-7 win over the Browns on Sunday. He limped off the field, and Carson Wentz came in to replace him the rest of the way.
Mahomes was initially described as “week-to-week,” but both he and head coach Andy Reid insisted that he would be fine and wouldn’t need to miss significant time. He was reportedly diagnosed with a “mild” high ankle sprain on Monday.
“You have to [try] to play,” Mahomes said on Tuesday. “That’s the reason you play this game, to push to play. I’m not going to put our team in a bad position. It’s about seeing where I’m at. I’m a competitor. I want to go out there and play.”
Even though the injury seems minor, and Mahomes is already practicing on it normally, the injury couldn’t have come at a worse stretch for the Chiefs. Saturday’s game against the Texans will mark their second of three games in an 11-day span. The Chiefs will turn around and take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas just four days after their contest with Houston.
The games are important, too. The Chiefs, at 13-1, can clinch the top seed in the AFC if they beat both the Texans and Steelers. That would go a long way in not only the Chiefs’ quest at a third consecutive Super Bowl win, but in giving Mahomes and the rest of their roster a chance to rest during Week 18 and their bye week in the playoffs.
Mahomes has thrown for 3,348 yards with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season entering Saturday’s game. The Chiefs have won four straight, three of which were one-possession wins.
Based on Mahomes’ comments and the fact that he’s already practicing on his ankle, he’s trying to do everything possible to stay out on the field even amid a quick stretch of games. Whether that impacts his health long-term with the playoffs right around the corner, however, remains to be seen.
