NFL Playoff Injury Report: Latest On Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire & More Conference Championship Injuries
David Eulitt/Getty Images. Pictured: Patrick Mahomes.
All eyes will be on Patrick Mahomes this week as he works his way back from a concussion he sustained in the Divisional Round. He'll need to clear the league's protocol before he’s allowed to play this weekend.
We’ll be tracking Mahomes’ status throughout the practice week, so be sure to check back as this page is updated through Sunday.
NFL Injury Report
Latest on NFL Playoff Injuries
Sunday Update
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (concussion/toe): Now clear of the concussion protocol, Mahomes is fully expected to start for Kansas City in the Conference Championship after he was not assigned a game status designation on the Chiefs’ Friday injury report.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this morning that Mahomes’ toe injury has been diagnosed as turf toe, an injury that has caused players like Phillip Lindsay and Antonio Gibson to miss multiple games this season. While the reigning Super Bowl MVP will play, don’t be surprised if his mobility is limited by the injury.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (hip): According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Edwards-Helaire is expected to be available to play in the Conference Championship today, though Le’Veon Bell (knee) is not expected to suit up. CEH was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, while Bell missed practice on Thursday and Friday after not appearing on Wednesday’s injury report.
When Edwards-Helaire was inactive in the Divisional Round, Darrel Williams led the team in both rush attempts (13) and rushing yards (78). Expect Williams to absorb most of the workload that would have gone to Bell on the ground today.
Friday Update
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (concussion/toe): Mahomes does not carry a game status designation on the Chiefs’ Friday injury report, meaning he’s good to go for Sunday’s AFC Championship.
The reigning Super Bowl MVP had spent the majority of the week in the concussion protocol but was able to clear the protocol on Friday afternoon, paving the way for him to be on the field this weekend.
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (hip): A limited practice participant throughout the week, CEH stands to have a better chance of playing in the Conference Championship than he did last week in the Wildcard Round when he was held out after missing two days of practice leading up to the game.
Edwards-Helaire is officially questionable to play on Sunday, and if he’s unable to go, expect Darrel Williams to continue leading a committee backfield that also includes Le’Veon Bell.
Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins (calf): Watkins’ practice participation this week is also encouraging for his availability this weekend. He was unable to practice at all last week, but he got in three limited sessions this week.
Wednesday’s practice was Watkins’ first time back on the practice field since he suffered the calf injury in Week 16, and he feels more likely than not to be active this weekend despite his “questionable” tag.
Bills WR Gabriel Davis (ankle): Stefon Diggs (oblique), Cole Beasley (knee), and Davis all popped up on the Bills’ injury report this week, but Davis is the lone receiver carrying a game status designation into the weekend.
After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, the rookie practiced in a limited fashion on Friday, and he is officially questionable to face the Chiefs on Sunday.
Davis’ snaps have been trending down since John Brown returned to the lineup in Week 17, and Brown and Isaiah McKenzie would likely absorb Davis’ role in the event Davis is held out of the Conference Championship.
Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown (knee): The Bucs will be without the services of Antonio Brown when they take on the Packers in the NFC Championship after Brown was ruled out by head coach Bruce Arians on Friday.
Tampa Bay is deep at the position, and Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson, and Justin Watson should all see their snaps tick up in Brown’s absence.
Early Thursday Update
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (concussion): Mahomes was knocked out of the Chiefs’ AFC Divisional Round victory over the Browns while attempting to rush for a first down in the second half.
The reigning Super Bowl MVP is also battling a toe injury, but the concussion is more likely to affect his availability due to the league's protocol.
After ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Mahomes was trending in the right direction on Tuesday — noting that "it’s too early to say" whether he's expected to be active for Sunday — the quarterback opened the practice week as a limited participant on Wednesday. After practice, head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Mahomes has "done well up to this point."
Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown (knee): Brown was held to a season-low 10 receiving yards in the Divisional Round and was limited in the second half with a knee injury that could jeopardize his status for the conference championship this weekend.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that Brown is currently day-to-day after undergoing an MRI that ruled out structural damage. Then on Thursday afternoon, head coach Bruce Arians told reporters that Brown would be a game-time decision.
How would you rate this article?
Follow Us On Social
