The Chiefs will have to finish out the divisional round without Patrick Mahomes.
The KC star was hit by Mack Wilson in the third quarter, and he was slow to get back to his feet following the hit. Mahomes would need help from teammates and Kansas City personnel following the hit.
— Viral Sports (@NotScTop10plays) January 17, 2021
After going through concussion protocol, the Chiefs would rule Mahomes out with a concussion.
Patrick Mahomes has been downgraded to out. https://t.co/IuVyr7nbIt
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 17, 2021
The positive news is that it seems that Mahomes could potentially be good to go for the AFC Championship Game next week in Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said postgame that Mahomes is doing well and that he passed all the preliminary tests.
Andy Reid: “(Mahomes) got hit in the back of the head. He’s doing great right now. So that’s a positive. He passed all of the deals he had to pass.” ...Not quite medical jargon but the tone certainly seemed optimistic.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 17, 2021
Mahomes will still have to pass protocol during the week in order to be eligible for championship Sunday.
Initially, Mahomes was helped off the field slowly by Chiefs medical personnel, and he headed into the blue medical tent along the sideline. Soon after, Mahomes was seen jogging to the locker room.
CBS' Tracy Wolfson reports that Mahomes is currently going through concussion protocol and the team would not have an official designation until after the questioning was complete.
The Chiefs would confirm Wolfson's initial report:
QB Patrick Mahomes is being evaluated for a concussion.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 17, 2021
Mahomes has taken a beating in the game, with an injury to his left big toe earlier in the game showing him visibly hobbled throughout the course of the game.
Mahomes would be replaced by longtime NFL vet and backup quarterback Chad Henne, who would finish out the drive and net a field goal to extend the lead to 22-10.
