After sustaining a excessive proper ankle sprain within the fourth quarter of a victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left open the likelihood that he might 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 mentioned he goals to begin for the Chiefs (13-1) this weekend. Nonetheless, backup Carson Wentz absolutely is in play.
“That is the explanation you play this recreation is to push to play,” Mahomes mentioned. “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 workforce in a nasty place. So if I really feel that I can play and go on the market and win a soccer recreation, 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 play.
“It is nearly pushing it this week, seeing the place I am at and making the very best choice then.”
Mahomes projected optimism regardless of the harm, noting the progress made 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 insert a hobbled Mahomes into their beginning lineup.
But he’s nonetheless keen to present it a shot.
“Clearly we have put ourselves in place the place I would not say it is dire that I play,” Mahomes mentioned. “Now we have a little bit little bit of room to spare, however on the finish of the day, we’re attempting 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 very best 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 house win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Whereas the Texans might elevate their seeding with a powerful closing kick, the chance that they continue to be fourth within the standings appears as believable as igniting a sudden, late-season surge.
That leaves Houston dealing with 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 upfront of a wild-card tilt as soon as the schedule is full?
“Despite the fact that we have clinched the AFC South, it nonetheless would not change our method,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned. “Once we line up and play, we’re nonetheless attempting to enhance as a soccer workforce in all areas and attempt to play our greatest ball when playoffs time hits. So, we’re attempting to nonetheless enhance, nonetheless do our greatest.”
The primary recreation for the Texans with the playoffs assured will hinge as a lot on Mahomes’ availability as their effort. Even contemplating the Chiefs’ total excellence, Mahomes stays the final word game-changer, and the Texans’ odds for fulfillment are higher if he rests.
“I do not know on if he is enjoying or not, so I actually cannot deal with it or be involved about it,” Ryans mentioned. “… The sunshine shines on Patrick so much, however in case you watch the Chiefs play, their protection is an excellent unit.
“Coach (Andy) Reid and the offense, they’ll discover a means regardless of who’s there, they’re going to discover a solution to transfer the soccer. And so, we simply should 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 whole in that span (373 mixed) wasn’t huge. 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 had six gamers absent from follow on Tuesday: defensive deal with Foley Fatukasi (ankle), huge receiver John Metchie III (shoulder), linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (foot), middle Juice Scruggs (foot), tight finish Cade Stover (sickness) and backup quarterback Davis Mills (sickness).
Sort out D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and defensive again Chamarri Conner (concussion) missed the Chiefs’ Tuesday follow. Huge receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, nearing a return from an injured-reserve stint attributable to a shoulder ailment, was a full follow participant.
–Subject Stage Media
