Patrick Mahomes suffered an ankle injury during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. The two-time NFL MVP is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and his status was week-to-week.
The Chiefs are 13-1 and have the best record in the NFL, which is why many thought that the team’s quarterback might not play in Week 16. However, Mahomes has hinted that he will be ready to play the upcoming game against the Houston Texans.
Chris Broussard Offers Injury Advice to Patrick Mahomes
Chris Broussard discussed Mahomes’ injury on “First Things First.” He thinks the superstar should avoid playing against the Texans, as Houston’s defensive players will be sure to put pressure on him and put his ankle at risk.
“It’s a high-ankle sprain, and Mahomes did acknowledge last week that we got three games in 10 days,” said Broussard. “This is going to be tough, and now you’re injured. Houston, the one thing they do well is they rush the passer; they’re the only team with two pass rushers with 10 or more sacks, Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr.”
The Fox Sports analyst also mentioned that Kansas City has enough breathing room at the top of the AFC, which gives them the luxury of resting Mahomes for Week 16.
Broussard added, “So, they’re going to come after him. He’s already been hit more than any quarterback in the league. You could sit him and play him Wednesday, and you got the two-game cushion over Buffalo. To me, this shouldn’t even be a question… I don’t mind them making a late decision on it, but the decision should be you’re not playing.”
The Texans’ defense has recorded the league’s second-most sacks (45) this year. The Chiefs’ offensive line has struggled throughout the season, and Mahomes has already been sacked 35 times.
Allowing Mahomes to play against Houston is quite risky for Kansas City, but knowing the quarterback’s mentality, he will not rest unless his team secures the top seed in the AFC. A win on Sunday, with a Buffalo Bills loss, could let him recover for as long as necessary before returning in the Divisional Round.
Chiefs Can Beat Texans Without Mahomes
Kansas City could beat Houston without Mahomes, too, thanks to having one of the league’s better backup quarterbacks in Carson Wentz. He replaced Mahomes late in the game against the Browns and completed both pass attempts for 20 yards.
Meanwhile, the Texans came into this season as a Super Bowl hopeful but have not played like one. C.J. Stroud failed to build on an impressive rookie season, perhaps due to the offensive line’s struggles and injuries to the receiving corps.
The Chiefs’ defense, led by Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, can wreak havoc and win the game by itself. Kansas City isn’t built to lean too heavily on its quarterback, regardless of who is under center.
Mahomes will likely play the game on Saturday and ensure that the Chiefs are not in a must-win situation for the last two games of the season to secure the first seed. Buffalo is two games back of Kansas City but owns the tiebreaker.
Moreover, the Bills have favorable fixtures left and could go undefeated, so the Chiefs likely need to win 15 games to secure a bye in the playoffs. Wentz may eventually get to start, but the team will hope that it comes in a meaningless Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.