KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs are getting ready for Patrick Mahomes to begin Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Houston Texans, but when their star quarterback’s ailing ankle prevents that from occurring, they imagine they are often profitable if backup Carson Wentz performs.
“We’ve got full confidence in Carson,” coach Andy Reid mentioned. “If he has to step in and play, then I feel everyone, coaches and gamers, has full confidence that he can go in and do a pleasant job. “He is began within the league and been profitable. He is bought a fantastic really feel for this offense. Very sensible, large arm. I like the best way he carries himself. I like every part about him. He must be beginning on this league someplace, so he is a heck of a participant.”
Mahomes mentioned he is happy with the progress his injured proper ankle has made since he suffered a excessive ankle sprain in Sunday’s 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns. He mentioned this damage is not as extreme as an analogous one he acquired in a 2022 divisional spherical playoff recreation in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Then, he returned to the sport after a brief break and performed in each the AFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Clearly, it is soccer and you are going to take hits, however you need to have the ability to defend your self. In order that’ll be the place I am at and I do not wish to restrict the sport plan. That is one other factor for me is I need to have the ability to transfer across the pocket so we’re not simply sitting in a single spot the entire whole recreation and letting their D-line actually get after it. It is about me discovering that stability and seeing the place I am at … I will not know till sort of near the top of this week.”
Patrick Mahomes, on his ankle damage
“That [injury] was fairly vital,” Mahomes mentioned. “However I wish to be in a greater spot than I used to be in that subsequent recreation going up in opposition to the Bengals. So, I will attempt to see if I can get there.
“I need to have the ability to transfer. I need to have the ability to get out of the best way. [Houston’s] is an efficient go rush, an excellent protection. They fly round. You do not wish to go on the market and put your self in hurt’s manner. Clearly, it is soccer and you are going to take hits, however you need to have the ability to defend your self. In order that’ll be the place I am at and I do not wish to restrict the sport plan. That is one other factor for me is I need to have the ability to transfer across the pocket so we’re not simply sitting in a single spot the entire whole recreation and letting their D-line actually get after it. It is about me discovering that stability and seeing the place I am at … I will not know till sort of near the top of this week.”
The 13-1 Chiefs have clinched the AFC West championship and a playoff spot however are chasing the AFC’s No. 1 seed, which carries a first-round postseason bye and home-field benefit. They might clinch with two wins of their last three video games so they might lose to Texans however nonetheless get the highest seed by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos within the last two video games.
“I would not say it is dire that I play,” Mahomes mentioned. “It is not within the AFC Championship Recreation the place we’re enjoying to get to the Tremendous Bowl. We’ve got just a little little bit of room to sort of spare, however on the finish of the day, we’re attempting to win. We’re attempting to win the soccer recreation and I am a competitor. I wish to go on the market and play, so I will push myself to get to the most effective place potential over these subsequent few days and we’ll have the ability to decide then.
“I am not going to place our staff in a foul place. If I really feel like I can play and go on the market and win a soccer recreation, I will play. And if I do not really feel like that is the best-case situation, I will let guys like Carson play. He is a man that is profitable this league as properly, so it is nearly pushing it this week, seeing the place I am at and making the most effective determination.”
Wentz is in his first season with the Chiefs. He changed Mahomes within the fourth quarter of the sport in opposition to the Browns.
Reid mentioned Mahomes has requested him why Wentz does not have a beginning job someplace within the NFL himself and advised Wentz would have a type of jobs subsequent season.
“That is the conversations you hear with guys which might be in that room,” Reid mentioned. “Selfishly, I might wish to hold him right here in his place, however I sort of know what is going on on on the market with quarterbacks and this man is I feel actually good.”
