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1/27/23

2 min read

Reid: Mahomes Will Start AFC Championship Game vs. Bengals

Patrick Mahomes

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will start in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, Chiefs coach Andy Reid confirmed to reporters on Friday.

"He looks good," Reid said. "He's moving around good."

Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain during the Chiefs' Divisional Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. The injury forced him to miss a series before returning to lead Kansas City to a 27-20 victory, ensuring the Chiefs a spot in their fifth straight AFC title game.

"I feel like I can still do a lot of things, but we'll see as we get closer and closer,'' Mahomes said earlier in the week. "All I can do is prepare myself the best way possible, and then when we get in the game, you hope adrenaline takes over, and you can make those throws when you need to.''

All indications throughout the week pointed toward Mahomes suiting up, but it was not until Friday that Reid confirmed Mahomes' availability. The quarterback will have no injury designation heading into Sunday's matchup with the Bengals — a rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game won by Cincinnati in overtime.

Other key players on the Chiefs' offense will carry injuries into the game, however. Receivers Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson are listed as questionable, as is tight end Travis Kelce.

Questionable with a back injury, Kelce is not expected to be held out of Sunday's game. However, he could be limited, which would be a blow to the Chiefs' offensive firepower.


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