The Kansas City Chiefs have received the news they’ve been waiting and hoping to hear all week long: star safety Tyrann Mathieu has been officially cleared from the team’s concussion protocols. The team announced his ability to play just hours before kickoff on Sunday.
This means Mathieu will be able to play without any medical limitations against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship on Sunday afternoon.
Mathieu was forced to leave the last Chiefs game early—after just a handful of snaps—due to an accidental collision with a teammate that left him with a head injury against the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs will have Tyrann Mathieu on the field in the AFC Championship game after all.
Mathieu sought immediate attention on the Chiefs sideline from trainers in the blue medical tent provided and then went on to the locker room. He would be designated as out for the duration of the team’s game against the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
The team has been quite positive about Mathieu’s ability to play all week long, but nothing was official until he was cleared medically to play again.
Mathieu practiced during the week with the Chiefs and his teammates made it clear how much he was missed following the thrilling win over the Bills. It should be no surprise given that he made another Pro Bowl this season following a year in which he once again served as the heart and soul of the team’s secondary.
Mathieu had 6 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 sack, and 76 total tackles in 16 starts for the Chiefs this year.
The Bengals and Chiefs are set to kick off at 2:00 p.m. C.T. at Arrowhead Stadium.