The Kansas City Chiefs had a safe lead against the Cleveland Browns when the one thing that could not happen to them. They lost Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes leaves with concussion. The Chiefs almost blew it. Then Chomes Henne, Mahomes’ back-up, drew some unlikely plays to clinch a landslide 22-17 victory and send Kansas City to the AFC Championship.
But before the Chiefs offer the Buffalo Bills in the game for a spot in the Super Bowl, there is one outstanding question: will Mahomes be available to play?
The chances are not great. From 2015 to 2019, the NFL backs were held to a median of seven days after suffering a concussion in a game, according to the league. The AFC Championship is exactly one week after Sunday’s game, which means Mahomes will have to return to play earlier than usual.
Nor is it as simple as Mahomes says he feels ready to play. It is not in his hands. It is also not in the hands of the team.