As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their clash against the Detroit Lions, all eyes are on Patrick Mahomes.
The star quarterback saw limited action in the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing three of his four passes for 27 yards.
With Chiefs fans eager for more, the question looms: Will Mahomes take the field against the Lions, or will the Chiefs play it safe?
Will Patrick Mahomes Play Against the Detroit Lions in Preseason Week 2?
Mahomes is set to take the field against the Lions on Saturday, with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirming that the 2023 Super Bowl MVP and the other first-team starters will play the full 30 minutes of the first half.
This decision is surprising, given that coaches often prioritize keeping key players injury-free ahead of the regular season. However, Mahomes needs live-action reps to get his motor running before the Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
Reid’s comments on the matter suggest a balance between preparation and caution: “As far as the play time goes, the ones will take a half, and then we’ll kind of fill in after that and just kind of see how the rest of that goes for the third and fourth quarters.”
Reid is taking a calculated risk after the Chiefs’ 26-13 preseason loss to the Jaguars. Despite the injury risks, Mahomes’ presence is crucial for fine-tuning the offense.
“We still have a couple of weeks ahead of us here ’til that all takes place, but we’ll keep working on it. We’re not ready yet, but we’ll keep working and sharpening ourselves up to play. I appreciate the attitude the guys have had,” Reid said about the Chiefs’ preparation.
The Chiefs’ head honcho will certainly hope that Mahomes gets his game action while avoiding injury as the Chiefs prepare for a three-peat.
However, recent injuries around the league, like J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending torn meniscus, pose a grave example of the dangers surrounding preseason play.
What Do the Lions Have Planned vs. the Chiefs?
The Lions have a challenge ahead as they face Mahomes and the Chiefs in their second preseason game. Dealing with numerous injuries, the Lions’ defense will be far from full strength.
Head coach Dan Campbell has hinted that only a few starters will see action, opting instead to test the depth of his roster.
Despite last week’s 14-3 loss to the New York Giants, Campbell isn’t too concerned with the final score.
Instead, he’s focused on evaluating the performance of his reserve players against one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. The Lions’ secondary will be tested as they try to contain Mahomes and the Chiefs’ aerial attack.
