The Chiefs gave up a touchdown to the Bills on the first drive of the Divisional Round matchup and, to make it worse, Tyrann Mathieu left with an injury.
In a budding playoff rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, it was the latter that got the ball first on the road in the Divisional Round. And Josh Allen and Co. took some gambles that paid off for them to take an early 7-0 lead.
As they were doing that, though, Kansas City may have lost one of their most crucial defensive pieces: safety Tyrann Mathieu.
After the first drive, Mathieu was shown walking back to the locker room. The team announced that the Honey Badger was being evaluated for a concussion.
S Tyrann Mathieu is being evaluated for a concussion pic.twitter.com/kGWh7C2WJx
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 23, 2022
Update: Mathieu was ruled out with a concussion and will miss the rest of the game against the Bills.
S Tyrann Mathieu is in concussion protocol and has been ruled out. https://t.co/uGiCrhziYZ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 24, 2022
Tyrann Mathieu injury update: Chiefs safety leaves vs. Bills with possible concussion
The Chiefs defense has improved dramatically throughout this season and Mathieu has remained a crucial part of that with his playmaking and versatility.
Mathieu took a knee to the head on that opening drive for Buffalo that resulted in him taking himself out of the game and then heading to the locker room. There has not yet been word about his status outside of him being listed as “questionable” to return as he gets evaluated.
Not having Mathieu on the field definitely puts the defense, the secondary in particular, behind the 8-ball against Allen and the Bills.