Reid: Mahomes might’ve returned pre-protocol

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday he didn’t know whether Patrick Mahomes would clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in time to play in next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. But Reid indicated Mahomes may have felt well enough to have returned to Sunday’s divisional round game.

After taking a hit and being knocked to the ground, Mahomes got up and momentarily staggered. He then headed for a brief exam in the sideline medical tent before bounding quickly down a set of steps and then running up the Arrowhead Stadium tunnel to the Chiefs’ locker room.

“There was a chance back in the day that Patrick comes back in [the game],” Reid said. “You saw him run up the tunnel. By the time he got to that point he was feeling pretty good. But there’s a certain protocol you have to follow and that takes it out of the trainer’s hand and the player’s hand and the doctor’s hand.”

Mahomes was replaced in the third quarter by Chad Henne, who finished the Chiefs’ 22-17 win over the Cleveland Browns.

The Chiefs face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Arrowhead in the AFC title game. Reid said they would have a plan whether Mahomes or Henne starts at quarterback.

“Because of the protocol, it’s a no-brainer from a coaching standpoint,” Reid said. “You don’t have to think about it. You just have to go forward and make sure you have an answer if he’s there and an answer if he’s not there. I can’t tell you from a medical standpoint. I don’t know that. That’s their decision and I just follow it.”

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