Will Patrick Mahomes play for Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game? [UPDATED]

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Jaguars. Will he be able to play in the AFC Championship Game?

Disaster almost struck the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday as it pertains to superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Near the end of the first quarter of the Divisional Round matchup against the Jaguars, the QB was tackled and had his ankle rolled up awkwardly on the ground.

Mahomes stayed in the game for the remainder of that drive but then was forced by trainers and the coaching staff to go back into the locker room. He underwent X-rays that were negative but it was reported that he suffered a high-ankle sprain. Thereafter, though, he did return to the game for the second half, but was clearly still hobbled.

Thankfully, he and a spirited quarter from Chad Henne propelled the Chiefs to the win where they will now head to the AFC Championship Game for a matchup against either the Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium or the Bills in Atlanta due to the NFL’s decision in trying to give fairness after the unprecedented Damar Hamlin injury.

But regardless of who Kansas City faces or where, the question that every fan wants to know is about the quarterback: Will Patrick Mahomes play in the AFC Championship Game?

Will Patrick Mahomes play in AFC Championship Game for Chiefs?

It’s impossible to say for certain, especially given an injury like a high-ankle sprain that can be notoriously tricky and difficult to recover from. However, given that Mahomes came back into the game after suffering the injury, you have to believe that he will be on the field for the Chiefs unless he’s quite literally physically unable to walk out there with his team.

With that said, his health and ankle will be worth monitoring all week to learn more about the extent of the injury, how he’s healing, and everything around the injury leading up to the contest.

Update, 8:22 p.m. ET: Mahomes also said after the game that there was not yet an official diagnosis for the injury. However, he said he’d be “good to go” for next week in the AFC Championship Game.

Patrick Mahomes injury recovery time: High-ankle sprain recovery time

If there’s one bit of apprehension about Mahomes playing in the AFC Championship Game, it’s the nature of the high-ankle sprain injury he reportedly suffered. Most high-ankle sprains take about 4-6 weeks to recover from. However, if the injury is severe enough, surgery might be an option on the table and it could take a player out for up to six months.

We will know more about how this pertains to Mahomes, but the good news is that him playing the second half — even if at less than 100% — seems to indicate this is not a particularly serious case.

Chiefs QB depth chart behind Patrick Mahomes

Chad Henne is the backup for Mahomes and played in the Divisional Round against the Jaguars. Behind Henne is former Texas and SMU quarterback Shane Buechele on the Chiefs depth chart.