Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stays in the NFL’s concussion protocol, and it’s too soon to say that he definitely will play in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, sources revealed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Mahomes cleared certain means Monday, “some big steps,” sources told Schefter, yet the reigning Super Bowl MVP actually should experience different strides to clear the concussion protocol in the coming days. There are expectation and idealism, considering he is required to practice Wednesday, a source told Schefter.
Players are permitted to practice in a restricted fashion while still in the protocol, which incorporates five stages players need to clear prior to being eliminated.
Moreover, Mahomes is managing a toe issue. Nonetheless, coach Andy Reid said Monday that he doesn’t feel that injury will be an issue.
“Yeah, I think he’ll be OK there for right now with the toe part,” Reid told reporters Monday. “I think we’ll be all right there.”
Reid said Monday that the Chiefs would have a plan whether Mahomes or backup Chad Henne begins at quarterback.
Bills coach Sean McDermott recognized Monday that his group should “prepare for both quarterbacks.”
“We’ve got work to do to prepare,” McDermott said. “Certainly have a lot of respect for Patrick and how he plays the game and what he adds to their offense. But as you saw with the weapons that they have and the system that Andy runs — I thought Henne came in and did a really good job and won the game for them there. So we’ve got a lot of work to do as a team, and also in this case on our defense, to get ready.”
