Patrick Mahomes injury update: Chiefs QB plans to play in AFC Championship

Despite being diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says he’ll play in the AFC Championship Game.

In a bit of news that is both surprising and not surprising at all, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says he’s planning to play in the AFC Championship game next weekend despite suffering a high ankle sprain, per a report.

ESPN reporter Adam Schefter has word that Mahomes suffered the ankle injury “and nothing more” on Saturday early in the first quarter in the Chiefs’ Divisional Round game against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

The good news is that there’s nothing wrong structurally with Mahomes’ ankle or knee, despite having his leg rolled under Jaguars defensive lineman Arden Key.

High ankle sprains have kept some players out for several weeks, including Clyde Edwards-Helaire this season who left in Week 11 with the same injury and has not yet returned. Of course, the severity of the injury and the need for rehabilitation will change from player to player, but it’s astounding that Mahomes even came back into the Divisional game in the first place.

As of press time, the Chiefs still are not certain if they will be facing the Buffalo Bills on a neutral site or hosting the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium in the AFC Championship game, but Mahomes’ status is going to significantly alter the team’s offensive game plan as well as the opposition’s defensive approach going into the game.

Mahomes is the MVP frontrunner for the NFL this season after leading the league in both passing yards and touchdowns.