We’ve got your full injury update here for both the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals here for the AFC Championship game.
The Kansas City Chiefs began this week with serious questions surrounding the availability of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Heading into Sunday night, however, the questions have given way to a firm answer that yes Mahomes will be under center for the Chiefs as they host the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.
The AFC Championship game is upon us, and the NFL season has bestowed upon us the exact matchup that most fans wanted to see in the AFC. Both teams from last season are back again for another showdown, a rematch of last season’s overtime thriller in which the Bengals completed a shocking comeback over the favorite Chiefs on the road en route to the first Super Bowl appearance of the Joe Burrow era.
As for Mahomes, he suffered a high ankle sprain against the Jacksonville Jaguars back in the Divisional Round, but x-rays were negative for any structural damage and he was returned that very game. Not only that but he was practicing all week long for K.C.
Once again, Mahomes and Burrow have lived up to the elite labels placed on them, having led their teams to a conference title game after a grueling regular season fighting rivals and injuries in order to make it this far.
Speaking of injuries, Mahomes wasn’t the only name to watch coming into this game, but we should start with the Chiefs quarterback. Despite a high ankle sprain suffered in the Divisional Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mahomes not only returned in that very game but came back to practice in full all week for the Chiefs.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman continues to deal with a groin issue that has plagued him for months. He was a limited participant in practice earlier this week. Travis Kelce’s name also came up on the injury list with back spasms at the last hour but he’s reportedly set to play after feeling fine on Saturday.
As for the Bengals, their injury concerns are primarily up front along the offensive line, which has been the case for some time now. The good news for the Bengals is just how well the unit performed in the Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills on the road. Alex Kappa’s ankle injury and Jonah Williams’ knee injury continued to present issues for Cincy as they were out of practice at mid-week. Keep an eye on the Bengals’ line during the game to see how well the Chiefs’ defensive front gets pressure. I