Chiefs QB Mahomes remains in concussion protocol

[January 19, 2021]    (Reuters) - Patrick Mahomes' status for Sunday's AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills remains up in the air as the Super Bowl MVP is still in concussion protocol, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is brought down by Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during the second half in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes would suffer an injury on the play. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Mahomes was evaluated for a concussion on Sunday after getting yanked to the ground during the third quarter of Kansas City's divisional round playoff win over the Cleveland Browns and did not return to the game.

"He's in the protocol, and we'll just follow that and see how he does here in the next couple days," Reid said in a message tweeted by the Chiefs' digital media producer.

"I just leave that with (athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) and the docs because of the protocol it's a no brainer for the coaching staff, you don't have to think about it... I can't tell you from a medical standpoint where he's at. I don't know that."

On the play, with the Chiefs facing a third-and-one, Mahomes went for the first down but was denied by Browns linebacker Mack Wilson and the front of his helmet slammed into the ground.

Mahomes appeared dazed after he got up from the hit and was helped off the field before he eventually jogged to the Chiefs' locker room where he was further evaluated.

The quarterback's availability for the AFC Championship will depend on his progress through the NFL's concussion protocol in the week ahead.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.