Bum ankle, short week and all, Patrick Mahomes is expected to give it a go.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Thursday that Mahomes will "most likely" start Saturday's game against the Houston Texans. The QB did not have a game designation on the Chiefs' injury report released later Thursday.
Reid also said that there is a "good chance" wide receiver Marquise Brown will make his season debut, an addition that would be a welcome sign for a struggling Chiefs passing attack. Brown did not have a designation.
Mahomes injured his ankle during the Chiefs' win this past Sunday over the Cleveland Browns with backup Carson Wentz briefly filling in. Mahomes, however, has been a full participant in practice this week, signaling his expected availability for Saturday's game against the AFC South champs. It's a surprising outcome considering how the injury appeared on Sunday.
"I wasn't sure. I've been through it with him before, and he amazes me every time he does it," Reid said on Thursday when asked if he thought Mahomes would have been able to make this turnaround.
"That guy, he's so mentally tough. It's just a mindset he has going into it. So where he was a few days ago, yeah, I'd probably say it was a long shot. But he's done well with it."
A six-time Pro Bowler, two-time AP NFL Most Valuable Player and three-time Super Bowl winner, Mahomes has earned plenty of superlatives throughout his decorated career, but his toughness cannot be understated as he's missed just two games in seven seasons as a starter due to injury.
Though Mahomes practiced in full this week, the Chiefs' sessions were largely lighter due to the short turnaround -- and likely because they'll return to action on an even shorter week for a Wednesday Christmas Day matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Before that, Mahomes and Co. will aim for their fifth consecutive win when they face the Texans, with a victory coupled with a Buffalo Bills loss on Sunday clinching the AFC’s top seed.
Mahomes has completed 335 of 502 passes (66.7%) for 3,348 yards and 22 touchdowns with 11 interceptions this season. He's also done plenty with his legs, rushing for 262 yards, most of them coming in timely spots. Just how mobile he is Saturday will be a major storyline for the game and potentially the Chiefs' season going forward.
The Chiefs signed Brown to a one-year deal during free agency with the hope that he would add an explosive element to their offense. A preseason shoulder injury that necessitated surgery in September, coupled with other injuries at the receiver spot, has forced the Chiefs to look elsewhere for production.
The Chiefs (13-1) kick off against the visiting Texans (9-5) at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.
