Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes’ injured ankle ‘will play a part’ in his team’s clash against the Philadelphia Eagles and their vaunted defence in Super Bowl LVII.
In the first quarter of the their Divisional Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain as he was tackled by Corey Peters and Arden Key, who fell on the quarterback’s lower right leg. Chiefs fans around the world collectively held their breath as the 27-year-old writhed in pain on the turf.
Mahomes - the frontrunner for the league’s MVP award - went to the locker room while backup Chad Henne briefly took control of the Chiefs offence before he returned in the second half. Mahomes’ toughness was impressive as he returned to the field to lead the Chiefs past the Jags to reach a fifth successive AFC Championship Game.
Despite his pain and the fact he was visibly limited, Mahomes secured a huge win over Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals to clinch a third Super Bowl berth in four years. His impressive ability to overcome adversity was highlighted in the closing moments of the game, when Mahomes’ rush drew a penalty from Joseph Ossai to set up Harrison Butker’s winning field goal.
Mahomes limped over the line in the end, but all eyes are on the star quarterback ahead of this week’s Super Bowl. NFL Network’s James Palmer believes the quarterback could struggle if the Eagles defence zero in on his ankle and make Mahomes really work for the win.
“It’s going to play a part,” Palmer exclusively told The Mirror when asked about Mahomes’ ankle. “The Eagles had 70 sacks this year - 15 more than any other team in football. Their defensive line is relentless, and what they can do on the edge is what I’m keeping my eye on.
“The Chiefs have a really good interior part of the offensive line with Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, Trey Smith. The edge is where the Eagles simply are going to have the advantage, and if the Chiefs cannot contain the speed of Haasan Reddick or Brandon Graham, Pat can’t create as much as he’d like to.
“I was at the AFC title game. There was a lot of things he wanted to do and you could see he wanted to do it, but just physically couldn’t. If I were the Eagles, I would try and push him left; the run he made to win the game was to the right. When he was pushed to the left and went off schedule, he aggravated it and went off limping. His ankle will be healthier than it was in the AFC Championship - but it will impact the game. I’m told the Eagles have incorporated it as part of their game plan.”
Mahomes will be without Mecole Hardman after the receiver was placed on Injured Reserve while running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been activated. It means the Chiefs running game will have a much-needed dimension added to it, but Palmer believes Jerrick McKinnon will be crucial if Mahomes is going to get into his rhythm on Sunday.
“I don’t know if Clyde Edwards-Helaire will change too much as Isaiah Pacheco has played so well, while they trust Jerrick McKinnon as an extra protector,” Palmer added. “He’s probably their best pass protector in their mind, so he’s kind of a 5’9 200lbs personal bodyguard of Patrick Mahomes. Eagles don’t blitz a lot, but McKinnon will probably play the majority of passing snaps as he’s a pass-catcher as well.
“A guy two years ago who signed with the Chiefs because they were literally the only team to give him an offer. Now he leads all running backs in touchdown receptions this season. Pat’s talked about this a lot; [McKinnon] is a former quarterback from his high school days, so he sees the game kind of like a quarterback and has a great feel for Mahomes’ game like when he needs to stay in and protect, or leave and become a safety valve to catch the ball.
“It’s been awesome to see him evolve as part of this offence and I think throwing to their backs will be a big part of the Kansas City offence on Sunday.”
The Chiefs will face the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on February 12.
