Patrick Mahomes currently has the world’s most-watched ankle as he nurses a sprain ahead of the AFC title game.
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t participating much.
Bengals players and coaches have been adamant all week they’re prepping as if they will encounter a 100 percent version of Mahomes on Sunday and adjust from there if he truly seems limited.
“We expect him to be in full form,” defensive end Sam Hubbard said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “You name it. Arm strength, football IQ, athleticism, awareness. He’s got all the tools.” ….
Even Bengals’ offensive staff such as coordinator Brian Callahan were quick to point out that the mind of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will scheme up something special no matter Mahomes’ status.
“You always watch their tape every year, you watch what they do,” Callahan said, per Hobson. “Some of the things they do, nobody else can do because of the guy pulling the trigger, and especially when they had Tyreek there, they did some wild stuff that most people can’t replicate. They’re always a fun tape to study in the offseason because they’ve got such good creativity and they put guys in such cool positions to make plays. They’re at the top of the game of all of that stuff.”
Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has been right there with the same themes all week, as noted by the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway:
Lou Anarumo on Patrick Mahomes: We’ll be expecting his best, wether it’s one or two legs. #Bengals
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 23, 2023
What was billed as a high-ankle sprain suffered in the divisional round hasn’t stopped Mahomes from going full in the first two practices of the week.
While there’s a chance the ankle still bothers him when planting to throw and going on the run, the Bengals were always correct in approaching Mahomes this way.
