Should the Chiefs Rest Their Star Quarterback After Injury Against the Browns?

NFL

The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in a predicament after their 21-7 win on Sunday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns. In the fourth quarter, Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes left the game with eight minutes remaining after getting his ankle rolled up while being tackled by Browns' defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson on a fourth-down incompletion. As a result, backup veteran quarterback Carson Wentz finished the game for the Chiefs, while Mahomes went to the locker room to be examined and x-rayed. Following the game, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid discussed the injury in his post-game press conference, saying, “Patrick, his right ankle has been hurt. It's not broken, but it's sore," Reid said. "He'll get started on the rehab part of it as we go, and then we'll just have to see how he does down the road here.” Later in the evening, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Mahomes is considered week-to-week after x-ray results came back negative. With that in mind, the question has arisen whether coach Reid and the Chiefs should consider resting the three-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback to prepare for another deep playoff run.

While the Chiefs kept their two-game cushion for the AFC’s top seed with the victory over the Browns, improving to 13-1 on the season, the game highlighted the struggles of the Chiefs' up-and-down offensive line. The line was shuffled after left tackle D.J. Humphries was ruled out before the game due to a hamstring injury. As a result, they struggled to protect their franchise quarterback from the Browns' potent pass rush, led by 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and company. Although the Browns didn’t record a sack, the Chiefs' offensive line still allowed constant pressure on Mahomes, resulting in 12 QB hits.

Through 15 weeks, pass protection has been a major area of concern for the Chiefs, particularly on Mahomes' blindside at left tackle. As a whole, the Chiefs rank 14th in the league in sacks allowed, with 35. They began the season with rookie Kingsley Suamataia starting at left tackle, but he was benched after Week Two. Kansas City then switched to Wanya Morris, but Morris also struggled with consistency in protecting their quarterback. In late November, the Chiefs signed former Pro Bowl tackle D.J. Humphries, hoping he could solidify the left tackle position. However, concerns remain about Humphries' ability to return to his Pro Bowl form, as he is coming off an ACL injury suffered last season.

On top of the Chiefs’ offensive line issues, Kansas City’s remaining schedule adds another wrinkle to coach Reid’s decision about whether to rest Mahomes. To conclude the season, the Chiefs face a quick turnaround after Sunday’s game, preparing for a Saturday matchup against the Houston Texans at home. This is followed by a road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, with only four days between the two games. Ultimately, the decision to play Mahomes will hinge on whether coach Reid feels confident in his offensive line's ability to fend off premier pass rushers on both the Texans, who have Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., each with 10-plus sacks, and the Steelers' star pass rusher T.J. Watt, who is tied for third in the NFL with 11.5 sacks.

Additionally, coach Reid must weigh how much he wants to push for the top seed and a first-round bye in the AFC, with three tough games remaining, while the Bills, who defeated the Lions on Sunday, have a much easier schedule, facing the Patriots twice and the Jets to close out the regular season. A positive for the Chiefs is their familiarity with managing lingering ankle injuries to their quarterback. Mahomes played through a high ankle sprain suffered in the 2023 Divisional Round against the Jacksonville Jaguars and went on to lead Kansas City to their third Super Bowl title in franchise history. If the Chiefs decide to rest Mahomes for a game or two, it could pay off tremendously as Kansas City continues its pursuit to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Jackson Howard

Budding sports writer who graduated from Salisbury University in December 2023 with a degree in Communication

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