The Kansas City Chiefs will likely need to win out in their final five games to have a shot at making the playoffs, and they’ll be riding an ailing Patrick Mahomes for that critical stretch.
The Chiefs listed the quarterback on their injury report on Wednesday, noting that he is dealing with a knee ailment. Though Mahomes is not expected to be in danger of missing Sunday’s game, the injury could limit him through what will be a make-or-break stretch for the three-time defending AFC champions.
Patrick Mahomes Dealing With Several Injuries
The Chiefs fell further down the AFC standings with their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, hitting .500 at 6-6. Mahomes has been playing through some injuries, with John Dillon of USA Today’s Chiefs Wire noting that he had another ailment before being listed with the knee injury.
“Mahomes is said to be dealing with a knee injury after the Chiefs’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day,” Dillon wrote. “He was previously listed with a groin injury. Despite the new issue with his knee, Mahomes managed to be a full participant in Kansas City’s first practice session in Week 14.”
Dillon noted that the current injury could be a cause for concern, with more clarity coming later in the week as the Chiefs approach game day.
“Mahomes shouldn’t need to miss any time due to his knee injury, but fans should monitor his status ahead of the Chiefs’ matchup against Houston on Sunday,” Dillon wrote.
Chiefs Dealing With Other Injuries
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said this week that some of the team’s other skill players are playing through pain, including wide receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
âYeah, theyâre (wide receivers) doing okay,â Reid said.
âI was proud of one (Xavier Worthy) and four (Rashee Rice), they both pushed through some nagging things there with the ankle and the hamstring to get themselves out there and actually get out and play.”
Mahomes told reporters that he trusted the coaching staff to find a balance between rest and preparation for Sunday’s game. The Chiefs are facing a team that has surged directly ahead of them in the playoff standings. The Texans have won four straight games, buoyed by the strength of the league’s top defense and the return of quarterback C.J Stroud.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also said the team has found a new edge that has given them an advantage in close games.
“How we’re finishing — that’s the difference,” Ryans said, via The Associated Press. “We have resolve. We’re playing 60 minutes. We’re no longer looking at a bad play here or there and thinking that it’s going to send us into the tank.”
The Chiefs have looked disjointed on offense at times, with Mahomes struggling to connect with his receivers and the offensive line often leaving him under pressure. They will have no margin for error against the Texans, needing to win out and get some help as many of the teams ahead of them — including the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Chargers — have tiebreakers over them.
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