Injury Update: Tyrann Mathieu's Status for the AFC Championship Game

After being knocked out of the Kansas City Chiefs' divisional round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu is back on track to return to the Chiefs in time for their AFC Championship Game matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

On Thursday, Mathieu returned to the practice field for the first time, indicating that he has progressed in the NFL's concussion protocol and will be available for the AFC Championship Game.

Your photographic proof that Tyrann Mathieu was back to practice for Chiefs today pic.twitter.com/ef7c2nXKZo
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) January 27, 2022

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid later said that Mathieu had not officially cleared the protocol by practicing, noting that he needed to continue the remaining steps.

Tyrann Mathieu was back at practice today, per Coach Reid. He's still in the protocol and needs to continue progressing through the steps, but that's great news.

"He was out there and did a nice job," Reid said. No other injuries to report, either. Everybody worked.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) January 27, 2022

On Tuesday morning, Mathieu tweeted a message of thanks and seemed to indicate he was on his way back to the field.

Thanks for all the prayers and support! I done shook back like only i can. God is faithful.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) January 25, 2022

Thanks for all the prayers and support! I done shook back like only i can. God is faithful.

On Monday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Mathieu was feeling good but that he was still in the concussion protocol.

"He’s one of the guys that [vice president of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Burkholder] is seeing this morning, and our docs," Reid said. "So, he’s still in the protocol and he’s still going through it, but he does feel good. So, we’ll just see how that goes going forward."

On Wednesday, Reid confirmed that Mathieu was still in the protocol but "doing very well."

Without Mathieu against the Bills, quarterback Josh Allen threw for 329 yards and four touchdowns, with 201 yards and all four TDs going to Gabriel Davis. The Bills' passing touchdowns all came down the middle of the field, as illustrated by NFL Next Gen Stats.

we can wait until tuesday to talk about the defense but... this does not look good! pic.twitter.com/K2pJMmuEcO
— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) January 24, 2022

In the Chiefs' first matchup with the Bengals (which included a full game from Mathieu), the Chiefs gave up 446 yards and four touchdowns to quarterback Joe Burrow, with 266 yards and three touchdowns going to rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

The Chiefs will get their chance at revenge against the Bengals on Sunday when Kansas City hosts its fourth consecutive AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT.