Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid says before concussion protocol Patrick Mahomes could have returned

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday he was unsure whether Patrick Mahomes would clear the NFL concussion protocol in time to play in the Championship game. AFC next Sunday. But Reid said Mahomes may have been feeling well enough to have returned to Sunday’s divisional round game.

After taking a hit and being knocked to the ground, Mahomes stood up and momentarily staggered. He then proceeded for a brief exam in the medical sideline tent before quickly descending a series of steps, then walking up the Arrowhead Stadium tunnel to the Chiefs’ locker room.

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

Mahomes was replaced in the third quarter by Chad Henne, who finished the Chiefs’ 22-17 victory 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 if Mahomes or Henne started at quarterback.

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