Jeremy Maclin injury update: Ankle improving?

The Kansas City Chiefs are hitting the practice field for the first time this week in preparation of their game against the New England Patriots on Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.

Of course, the major storyline heading into the week is the health of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. While head coach Andy Reid will likely tell reporters that Maclin will not practice today in connection with his high ankle sprain, perhaps there is hope that he could be ready to go this weekend.

On Monday night, Reid spoke with Chiefs announcer Mitch Holthus on the radio and talked about the injury. Here is what Reid had to say, per Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride.

"“We all thought ACL,” Reid said on the radio show last night. “I sat there and watched the doc do the examination on him. I’ve had a couple knee surgeries myself. I’ve seen a lot of those tests done. Man it looked like that’s what it was. It wasn’t which was a good thing. Our doc is on top of it. He located it in the ankle, kind of a high ankle sprain. It doesn’t look like it’s one of those real nasty ones but we’ll see, we’ll see how he progresses through the week.”"

Maclin led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Losing him would be a major blow to an offense already without running back Jamaal Charles. While Kansas City has been incredible overcoming injuries this season, could this be the final straw?

If Maclin can find a way to get on the field, even in a limited capacity, it would be a huge deal. His presence alone would force New England to play the Chiefs differently, forced to respect Maclin’s ability.