Mahomes reportedly suffers high ankle sprain, says he's ready for AFC title game
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he'll be ready to play in the AFC Championship Game after fighting through an ankle injury in Saturday's divisional-round win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"X-rays were negative. They haven't diagnosed anything yet, but I'll be good to go," he told NBC's Melissa Stark postgame, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.
Mahomes had his right ankle rolled up on by Jaguars linebacker Arden Key in the first quarter. The star signal-caller stayed on the field for several more plays but was clearly hobbled and went to the locker room in the second quarter.
He was replaced by Chad Henne and ruled questionable to return. But Mahomes quickly returned to the sideline and re-entered after halftime to lead Kansas City to its fifth straight AFC title game appearance.
An MRI confirmed that Mahomes sustained a high ankle sprain in Saturday's win, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The video no Chiefs fan wants to see. Patrick Mahomes is limping, but staying in the game for the moment. #ChiefsKingdom @KCTV5 pic.twitter.com/12hhWHSnXP
- Jared Koller (@JaredKCTV5) January 21, 2023
After arguing with head coach Andy Reid, a frustrated Mahomes left the sideline for further evaluation.
"They gave me the ultimatum that I wasn't going back in unless I went in (the locker room)," Mahomes told Stark.
Patrick Mahomes is headed to the locker room
- PFF (@PFF) January 21, 2023
pic.twitter.com/TZcjuYGxeZ
Reid said postgame that "it was hard" to get Mahomes to leave the game and the star passer was on a "short leash" after returning.
Henne threw a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce, the tight end's second of the contest, to cap off a 98-yard drive before Mahomes returned to the game.
The Chiefs led 10-7 when Mahomes went to the locker room. The MVP favorite was enjoying a near-perfect start to the playoff game, completing 12 of 15 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown. He finished with 195 yards and two scores.
Mahomes led the NFL in passing touchdowns (41) and passing yards (5,250) in the regular season. He was also first in QBR (77.1) and second in passer rating (105.2) and yards per attempt (8.1).
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