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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained what it will take for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to start in Week 16 vs. the Houston Texans.
The Kansas City Chiefs will not rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes II out of precaution in Week 16 — as some have suggested they should.
Although Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not confirm that Mahomes would start versus the Houston Texans while speaking with reporters on December 17, he did make it very clear that his quarterback will play so long as he’s medically cleared and able to do so.
“Listen, if [Mahomes] can go, he’ll go,” Reid responded very frankly on Tuesday — after being asked if the upcoming schedule will factor into the Mahomes decision.
Similarly, Reid noted that if Mahomes “can’t go, then he can’t.” He added that the decision is “that simple.”
“If your guys can play, they play,” Reid reiterated later. “As long as… medically, if they’re fine, they go.”
The Chiefs head coach also referred to Mahomes’ injury as a “day-to-day” issue multiple times on December 17, which differs from reports that he suffered a “week-to-week” injury. For clarity, week-to-week diagnoses typically represent a longer recovery timeline than day-to-day.
As for how he’ll know if his superstar QB is ready to play by the end of the week, Reid explained: “[Mahomes will] talk to me, the doctors will talk to me, trainers, we’ll keep it open.” He also joked that Mahomes is much more honest with him about his availability when they’re on the practice field together rather than inside of a game when adrenaline takes hold.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Confirms He Will Not Push to Play If He’s Not Medically Cleared, Says Ankle Treatment Has Been ‘Good’ So Far
Mahomes spoke just after Reid on December 17, and he confirmed that if the Chiefs’ medical staff does not clear him by the end of the week, he will listen to them and sit out against the Texans.
Having said that, listening to Mahomes talk, it sounded like the two-time NFL MVP will do everything in his power to suit up on Saturday.
“I think [my ankle has] done good with the treatment and the work that we’ve gotten in,” the Chiefs QB said on Tuesday. “Obviously, it’s a short amount of time but I thought we had a good day yesterday and good work after the game as well.”
Mahomes also voiced that he will always “push to play” no matter the scenario. “I think that you have to, that’s the reason you play this game,” he reasoned.
On the flip side, Mahomes explained that he would be willing to sit if he feels his injury compromises his ability to help the team win.
“At the end of the day, I’m not going to put our team in a bad position,” he noted. “So, if I feel like I can play and go out there and win a football game, I’ll play. And if I don’t feel like that’s the best-case scenario, I’ll let guys like Carson [Wentz] play.”
There you have it. As Reid stated, if Mahomes is able, he’ll be out there versus Houston. If he’s inactive, however, fans will know that it’s not out of precaution.
Michael Obermuller covers the NFL and NHL for Heavy.com, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins, as well as the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. An NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate, his previous bylines include FanDuel’s The Duel, King Fantasy Sports and Pro Football Mania. More about Michael Obermuller
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