Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Kansas Metropolis Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) earlier than the sport between the Cleveland Browns and the Chiefs at Huntington Financial institution Area. Obligatory Credit score: Ken Blaze-Imagn Photographs After sustaining a excessive proper ankle sprain within the fourth quarter of a victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems set to play on Saturday when Kansas Metropolis hosts the Houston Texans.
Initially saddled with a restoration interval described as week-to-week, Mahomes was listed as a full participant in follow on Tuesday and aimed to begin for the Chiefs (13-1) this weekend. Head coach Andy Reid indicated Thursday that Mahomes “more than likely” will play.
“That is the rationale you play this sport is to push to play,” Mahomes stated earlier within the week. “So I am going to get the work in follow and attempt to push it to see the place I get to. However on the finish of the day, I am not going to place our crew in a nasty place. So if I really feel that I can play and go on the market and win a soccer sport, I am going to play. If I do not really feel that is the best-case state of affairs, I am going to let Carson (Wentz) play.
“It is nearly pushing it this week, seeing the place I am at and making the perfect determination then.”
Mahomes projected optimism after making progress with remedy that adopted the Sunday victory. With the AFC West title already within the bag and a two-game lead over the Buffalo Payments within the race for the highest seed within the AFC, the Chiefs aren’t precisely pressed to push Mahomes for a complete 4 quarters if he does play.
“Clearly we have put ourselves in a superb place the place I would not say it is dire that I play,” Mahomes stated. “Now we have just a little little bit of room to spare, however on the finish of the day, we’re making an attempt to win. And I am a competitor and I wish to go on the market and play.
“I am going to push myself to get to the perfect place doable over these subsequent few days and we’ll decide then.”
Like Kansas Metropolis, the Texans (9-5) have already got clinched a playoff berth, securing their second consecutive AFC South crown with their 20-12 residence win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Whereas the Texans might elevate their seeding with a robust closing kick, the probability that they continue to be fourth within the standings appears as believable as igniting a sudden, late-season surge.
That leaves Houston going through the annual predicament loads of groups face after locking up a postseason berth whereas a handful of video games stay within the common season: How will the Texans method the ultimate three contests prematurely of a wild-card tilt as soon as the schedule is full?
“Though we have clinched the AFC South, it nonetheless would not change our method,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans stated. “After we line up and play, we’re nonetheless making an attempt to enhance as a soccer crew in all areas and attempt to play our greatest ball when playoffs time hits. So, we’re making an attempt to nonetheless enhance, nonetheless do our greatest.”
The primary sport for the Texans with the playoffs assured will hinge as a lot on Mahomes’ availability as their effort. Even contemplating the Chiefs’ general excellence, Mahomes stays the final word game-changer, and the Texans’ odds for fulfillment are larger if he rests.
“I do not know on if he is enjoying or not, so I actually cannot concentrate on it or be involved about it,” Ryans stated. “… The sunshine shines on Patrick rather a lot, however when you watch the Chiefs play, their protection is an excellent unit.
“Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense, they’ll discover a manner irrespective of who’s there, they will discover a technique to transfer the soccer. And so, we simply must be on it in all areas of the sport whether or not Patrick is there or not.”
The Texans’ quarterback, C.J. Stroud, threw a mixed three landing passes and no interceptions over the previous two video games, however his yardage complete in that span (373 mixed) wasn’t large. And Joe Mixon was held to 23 yards on 12 carries in opposition to the Dolphins after topping 100 yards in six of the earlier eight weeks.
Houston has dominated out 4 gamers: defensive sort out Foley Fatukasi (ankle), broad receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), heart Juice Scruggs (foot) and tight finish Cade Stover (sickness) . Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (foot) and backup quarterback Davis Mills (sickness) went from non-participants Tuesday to full individuals Thursday. Linebacker Christian Harris (ankle) discovered his manner onto the damage report and is questionable to play.
Sort out D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and defensive again Chamarri Conner (concussion) have been dominated out. Vast receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown will make his Chiefs debut after an injured-reserve stint attributable to a shoulder ailment
–Area Stage Media
