Patrick Mahomes was a full participant in practice Wednesday, taking all of his usual reps for the second consecutive day to mute conversations about the Chiefs’ quarterback sitting out Kansas City’s game Saturday against the Houston Texans.

Mahomes hurt an ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win at Cleveland but said Tuesday his dedicated treatment plan was paying off.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy took a cautious angle on Wednesday saying the workouts the past two days were light in comparison to usual practices because of the shorter week and games four days apart. The Chiefs (13-1) play Christmas Day — Wednesday — at Pittsburgh.

“I thought for him, it’s a lighter day for us with the schedule that we have. So I thought, all things considered, he did well,” Nagy said.

Head coach Andy Reid outlined a plan for making decisions on player gameday participation later this week. That includes Mahomes and possibly wide receiver Hollywood Brown, who hasn’t played since a training camp shoulder injury forced him to injured reserve in September.

Mahomes and the Chiefs can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Texans and a Buffalo Bills’ loss or tie against the Patriots.

“We know our schedule this week, a little bit of a shorter week, so there’s a balance there to that,” Nagy said. “But so far, I think his mindset is to do everything he can. But at the same time, you still have to be able to see how he does throughout the week.”

Carson Wentz is the No. 2 quarterback for the Chiefs and would get his 94th career start if Mahomes sits. Wentz played the final two possessions last week.

“I got my feet wet a little bit at the end of the last game and felt good out there, and nothing’s going to change this week,” Wentz said. “Obviously, Patrick’s had some nicks and bruises all year, and I’ve prepared like I was going to play every week. So, on my end, nothing’s really going to change.”

–Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes began treatment for his injured right ankle on the flight home from Cleveland on Sunday and continued Monday with a plan of practicing this week.

Mahomes said Tuesday he was ready to take the field, shaking off concern that his “mild high-ankle sprain” could derail Kansas City’s push to the playoffs.

Head coach Andy Reid tempered the mood slightly, noting the most important time for Mahomes will be the hours and days after practicing to assess any limitations caused by the discomfort expected from testing his mobility.

The Chiefs (13-1) practiced on their typical day off because they play the Houston Texans (9-5) on Saturday and face another tight turnaround with a Week 17 Christmas Day game at Pittsburgh (10-4) on Wednesday. With a win Saturday and a loss or tie by the Buffalo Bills (11-3), the Chiefs would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

“Let’s just see what he does (in practice),” Reid said.

Mahomes said the injury in the fourth quarter of a 21-7 win at Cleveland on Sunday was a normal football play. He was connected to electric stimulation hours after the game ended and has iced the ankle religiously.

“I feel it really responded really well,” Mahomes said Tuesday.

Without Mahomes, No. 2 quarterback Carson Wentz would be in line to start. Reid said the Chiefs have “full confidence in Carson if he has to step in and play” this week.

“My hope is to go out there to play,” Mahomes said of his prognosis for the week. “The reason you play this game is to push to play.”

But Mahomes also said he wants to be able to protect himself. He was battered by the Browns last week and was hit 12 times. Houston is second in the NFL with 45 sacks and has the only pass-rushing tandem with at least 10 sacks apiece in Danielle Hunter (12.0) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.0).

“I want to be able to move,” Mahomes said. “I want to be able to get out of the way. [Houston’s] is a good pass rush, a good defense. They fly around. You don’t want to go out there and put yourself in harm’s way. Obviously, it’s football and you’re going to take hits, but you want to be able to protect yourself. So that’ll be where I’m at and I don’t want to limit the game plan.”

Reid said wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown would participate in workouts again this week with a chance to make his debut against the Texans.

Brown has been on injured reserve since Sept. 13 with a sternoclavicular joint injury sustained in the preseason.

He signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Chiefs in March after playing three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens (2019-21) and two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2022-23).

Brown faced the Texans last season as a member of the Cardinals and caught two passes for 18 yards.

–Field Level Media