Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes still isn’t at 100% after suffering a high ankle sprain in last Sunday’s victory over the Cleveland Browns.
That doesn’t mean he won’t play Saturday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium when the Houston Texans arrive for a potential AFC playoff preview.
“We have a little bit of room to kind of spare, but at the end of the day, we’re trying to win,” Mahomes told reporters when asked about his status. “We’re trying to win the football game and I’m a competitor. I want to go out there and play, so I’ll push myself to get to the best place possible over these next few days and we’ll be able to make a decision then.”
— #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes gives ankle injury update and what it’ll take for him to play against the #Texans
📅 Week 16 • Texans vs. Chiefs
🗣️ “I want to be able to move. I want to be able to get out of the way. I mean, this is a good pass rush, a good defense, they fly… pic.twitter.com/s5fHrrtRZn
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) December 17, 2024
The Chiefs are already on a short week with Saturday’s regular-season home finale. Worst of all, it’ll only continue entering the following weekend.
After playing host to Houston, Kansas City hits the road four days later for a Christmas outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. With that in mind, the Chiefs could start former No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz and give Mahomes a few extra days of rest before facing off against two fellow playoff-bound teams.
Chiefs listed Patrick Mahomes as a full participant in today’s practice.
Hollywood Brown also was listed as a full participant.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2024
“I’m not going to put our team in a bad position. If I feel like I can play and go out there and win a football game, I’ll play,” Mahomes said. “And if I don’t feel like that’s the best-case scenario, I’ll let guys like Carson play. He’s a guy that’s winning this league as well, so it’s just about pushing it this week, seeing where I’m at and making the best decision.'”
Houston, which clinched the AFC South on Sunday, could rest several starters, including running back Joe Mixon, who suffered an ankle injury and was limited for the second half at NRG Stadium.
Kickoff from Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.
