Skip to content

Patrick Mahomes: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback cleared to play in AFC Championship Game

Watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Green Bay Packers followed by the Kansas City Chiefs against the Buffalo Bills on Sky Sports this Sunday from 7pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says 'everything has been good' after passing concussion protocols to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been cleared to play in Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills after passing concussion protocols.

Mahomes went through his third consecutive day of practice on Friday and confirmed at a news conference that he has been cleared to play by team doctors and an independent neurologist.

"I just got out of the (concussion) protocol," said Mahomes.

"The week has been a bunch of testing, a bunch of different things to make sure I'm good to go and there are no lingering effects.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was forced off the field in the 22-17 divisional playoff win over the Cleveland Browns
Image: Mahomes was forced off the field in the 22-17 divisional playoff win over the Cleveland Browns

"Everything has been good. I went through what three or four different doctors have said and everything has looked good and I'm out of it right now. I'll be able to go out there and be myself."

Mahomes was hurt in the third quarter of the Chiefs' 22-17 win over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Divisional Round last week. He spent a few minutes in the injury tent on the sideline before running up the tunnel to the locker room.

But within a few minutes of leaving the field, the team said that he had sustained a concussion and would not return. Chad Henne finished the game in his place.

Also See:

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is helped off the field by teammate Mike Remmers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Image: Mahomes is helped off the field by team-mate Mike Remmers

"We had an option play called that we had ran a little bit earlier in the game," said Mahomes.

"I ran it out to the right, obviously got hit, tried to get up, felt my legs go, knew that wasn't a good thing so I was able to get grabbed.

"I remember before going off the field telling the trainers to let me stay there so Chad (Henne) could warm up. I knew we were about to go for it on that fourth down. I then went and did the testing and everything like that."

Mahomes did a light workout on Wednesday before a full practice on Thursday. Friday's workout was another light practice.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Four teams, with one dream... but which two will prevail and progress to Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay? Watch Championship Sunday at 7pm on Sky Sports.

Antonio Brown out of Sunday's NFC Championship Game

Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Brown will miss Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Green Bay with a knee injury, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said Friday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown warms up before the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Image: Antonio Brown will play no part in the NFC Championship game

Brown played just 29 snaps in Sunday's divisional playoff win over the New Orleans Saints. He caught one pass for 10 yards and was targeted three times.

Brown, 32, was limited to 33 snaps in the wild-card victory against Washington, catching two passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.