It’s convention championship week. With solely 4 groups on the NFL schedule this week — the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Cincinnati Bengals — one fascinating storyline can dominate the whole dialog main as much as the video games. This time, it’s QB Patrick Mahomes’ ankle.
The truth that this storyline is the dominant one heading into the weekend is smart. He’s the most effective participant within the league, and his workforce is internet hosting the AFC Championship Sport in opposition to the Bengals who’re one of many hottest groups within the NFL. Additionally, the sport is happening one week after he suffered a high-ankle sprain and was nonetheless in a position to hobble the Chiefs to victory — aided after all by a well timed 98-yard landing drive that was led by backup quarterback Chad Henne.
How cell does Mahomes look proper now?
Since his proper ankle acquired rolled in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars, no leg in America has had as a lot consideration on it as his. Not even Brent Maher’s as he overcame his kicking yips through the Dallas Cowboys’ loss on Sunday to the Eagles. Mahomes’ ankle has a lot consideration on it that Fox 4 KC’s Harold R. Kuntz has been filming him strolling down from the press convention podium the final two days. And by filming Mahomes, I imply solely his legs.
Thursday replace: Mahomes didn’t even want to make use of the steps.
Knox’s evaluation: Don’t be a hero… till Sunday.
Kuntz isn’t the only reporter on the scene sharing video footage of Mahomes’ mobility. During the portion of practice that was open to the media, many movies had been despatched out of Mahomes transferring round. Because the Chiefs had been warming up, Mahomes truly jogged and spun as he headed towards his subsequent station. He’s actually operating higher than he was on Sunday.
Of their feedback to the media, Andy Reid mentioned that Mahomes “did a pleasant job and was “comfy with what we did.” Mahomes mentioned that he believed his Wednesday apply went, “higher than I anticipated.”
For Chiefs followers — and people of us who need to see a well-played AFC Championship Sport — this information out of Kansas Metropolis is the most effective we might’ve obtained. On the Chiefs’ most lively days of apply, Mahomes was seen transferring very nicely. Additionally, he and the top coach each gave constructive updates in regards to the well being of an important leg in sports activities this weekend.
Will the ankle have an effect on Mahomes’ play on Sunday?
There isn’t a potential manner that Mahomes will probably be 100% in opposition to the Bengals. They’ll check that ankle by attempting to use the identical sort of stress that disrupted the Buffalo Payments through the Bengals’ Divisional Round win on Sunday. Nevertheless, if he can transfer round all recreation in addition to he has been in apply, he’ll be capable to play nicely sufficient for the Chiefs to have an opportunity at victory.
We’ve obtained the closeup and overhead views of Mahomes’ well being. All that is left is the view at Arrowhead Stadium from the CBS cameras at 6:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 29, 2023.