Chiefs Change Status of QB Patrick Mahomes

On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes practiced in a limited capacity. This is another step Mahomes is taking to possibly clear the concussion protocol to partake in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills.

Mahomes is within NFL’s concussion protocol after being knocked out of last week’s Divisional Round victory over the Cleveland Browns. The final score of the game was 22-17.

On Sunday, Mahomes was replaced in the third quarter of the game by veteran quarterback Chad Henne, who will also start this week against the Bills if Mahomes ends up being unable to play.

Bills’ cornerback Tre’Davious White said Wednesday that Buffalo expects to be facing Mahomes on Sunday.

“This is the AFC championship; this is the game to go to the Super Bowl; we know all their best players are going to be out there. We’re preparing for Mahomes to be there, which we know he will,” White told ESPN.

Since the Chiefs initially released their practice report on Wednesday, Mahomes is listed as a full participant. However, later the team revised his status to being limited, saying the concussion protocol does not allow them to list him as full.

Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland were also listed as limited practice participants Wednesday. Watkins and Edwards-Helaire were both out for last week’s game against the Browns. Breeland and Mahomes are both within the midst of concussion protocol.

Chiefs head coach Andy Ried did not specify what phase of concussion protocol out of the five-step process that Mahomes is in to be cleared to play.