Patrick Mahomes in concussion protocol: Here’s what needs to happen for QB to return for AFC Championship

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to the AFC Championship Sport for the third time in three years, however they misplaced their star quarterback in Sunday afternoon’s clinching victory, with MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes exiting early in opposition to the Cleveland Browns as a result of a concussion. Whereas fill-in Chad Henne completed robust throughout Kansas Metropolis’s shut win over Cleveland, all eyes at the moment are on Mahomes. Can he presumably return in time for subsequent Sunday’s AFC Championship? And what, precisely, does Mahomes must do to be cleared to swimsuit up in opposition to the Buffalo Bills?

We’re glad you requested. Here is every part it’s worthwhile to know:

How lengthy will Mahomes be sidelined?

It is unattainable to place a timetable on Mahomes’ return. The NFL‘s concussion protocol is just not primarily based on size of restoration, however reasonably a selected five-step rehabilitation plan. That is not essentially excellent news for the Chiefs and their followers, nevertheless it’s not essentially dangerous, both. The complete course of is restricted to every particular person.

For reference, nonetheless, The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones cites NFL concussion data in reporting that the median restoration time for the 29 QBs who suffered a concussion between 2015-2019 was seven days. “Restoration,” in that sense, is outlined by the QB clearing protocol and returning to the sphere. In different phrases, have been Mahomes to comply with an analogous development, he’d be proper on the verge of returning, because the Chiefs are set to play precisely seven days from his harm.

What does Mahomes must do to return?

Full the concussion protocol. To be particular, as explained on NFL.com, the restoration steps are as follows:

1. The participant rests till indicators and signs return to baseline standing, and undergoes neurological, cognitive, and steadiness assessments
2. The participant begins cardio train and/or stretching and steadiness coaching underneath the oversight of the workforce’s medical workers
3. The participant will increase workout routines and/or sport-specific actions and begins supervised energy coaching
4. The participant continues coaching and resumes non-contact soccer actions (e.g. throwing, working, and many others.)
5. The participant is cleared by the workforce doctor for full contact and passes an unbiased neurological examination, then returns to apply

When will the Chiefs determine on his standing?

There is not any rush right here. Mahomes can not even return to apply till clearing the primary 4 phases of concussion protocol, and it is doable he might enter the AFC Championship Sport with no single full apply within the first place. In different phrases, Kansas Metropolis possible will not — and, technically, cannot — declare Mahomes good to go till the docs say so. That might imply Wednesday. It might imply simply earlier than the Chiefs put together to struggle for an additional Super Bowl bid.