Washington (AFP) – Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes will “most likely play” on Saturday against Houston despite a left ankle sprain suffered last weekend, coach Andy Reid said Thursday. Mahomes was dropped from the Chiefs’ NFL injury report on Thursday, clearing the way for him to suit up against the Texans (9-5) in Kansas City and likely return to his starting role for the 13-1 club.
“He worked out this week full and will most likely end up playing,” Reid said. “We’ll just see how things work out. He did look good out there. He moved around pretty good. You’re always looking to make sure he can get out of the way, not do any further harm to himself.” Mahomes went through full workouts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to deliver another in a line of incredible recoveries Reid has seen from the three-time Super Bowl champion.
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“I wasn’t sure. I’ve been through it with him before, and he amazes me every time he does it,” Reid said. “That guy, he’s so mentally tough. It’s a mindset he has going into it. So where he was a few days ago, I would probably say it was a longshot. He has done well with it.”
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs will play their second contest in a run of three games over 11 days as they try to clinch a top seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Mahomes suffered the injury in last Sunday’s 21-7 victory over Cleveland, but Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke expects the same mobile quarterback that has baffled Kansas City rivals in the past.
“He’s the best in the business in a lot of categories,” Burke said. “We’ve played a lot of mobile quarterbacks and guys that escape and make off-schedule plays. He’s the least predictable of where he’s going with it.” The Chiefs have won 10 times by seven points or fewer this season. A Chiefs’ victory over Houston and a loss by the Buffalo Bills (11-3) at New England on Sunday would clinch the AFC top seed for Kansas.
The Chiefs, Texans, and Bills have secured AFC division titles and playoff spots while the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers have sealed a playoff berth. In the NFC, three 12-2 clubs — the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings — have captured playoff berths.
– Ravens face Steelers –
The Baltimore Ravens can secure the AFC North crown and a playoff spot by winning Saturday at home over Pittsburgh or with Sunday losses by Miami against San Francisco and Indianapolis against Tennessee. In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers can capture a playoff berth by winning at New Orleans on Monday night, and the Washington Commanders can clinch a playoff spot by defeating Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Eagles (12-2) are on a 10-game win streak and can clinch the NFC East crown by winning at Washington. Green Bay and Washington can also reach the post-season with losses Sunday by Atlanta to the New York Giants and either Seattle to Minnesota or the Los Angeles Rams to the New York Jets — although Washington would also need a win to claim a playoff spot.
Other games Sunday find Detroit at Chicago, Cleveland at Cincinnati, Arizona at Carolina, Jacksonville at Las Vegas, and Tampa Bay at Dallas.
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