All eyes are on Patrick Mahomes and his health status heading into the Kansas City Chiefs’ big clash with the Houston Texans on Saturday.
The star quarterback suffered a mild high-ankle sprain during Sunday’s 21-7 over the Cleveland Browns. With the Chiefs kicking off a run of three games in 11 days on Saturday, questions have arisen as to whether Mahomes will play or if KC will choose to be cautious and rest their star quarterback.
The Chiefs have already wrapped up the AFC West and are on course to claim the #1 seed in the conference, and that is something Mahomes is seemingly aware of after discussing his availability for the game against Houston.
“I wouldn’t say it’s dire that I play,” said Mahomes. “It’s not in the AFC Championship Game where we’re playing to get to the Super Bowl. We have a little bit of room to kind of spare.
“But at the end of the day, we’re trying to win. We’re trying to win the football game and I’m a competitor.”
Mahomes was initially listed as week-to-week with the injury, but he was on the field and a full participant in Chiefs practice on Tuesday, suggesting the quarterback is on course to play on Saturday.
Chiefs clinch AFC with win on Saturday
A win over Houston on Saturday would wrap up the AFC for the Chiefs and give them hold field advantage throughout the playoffs.
That means there is plenty to play for, though there will be two games – against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos – for the Chiefs to clinch top spot should they fail.
Nevertheless, Mahomes is preparing for the game as though he will play, adding that if he is physically able to take the field, he will do so.
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“That’s the reason you play this game, is to push to play,” said Mahomes.
“If I feel like I can play and go out there and win a football game, I’ll play and if I don’t feel like that’s the best-case scenario, I’ll let guys like Carson (Wentz) play.”
