The Kansas City Chiefs marched on to Super Bowl LVII as they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Sunday’s AFC Championship game. Patrick Mahomes, who played with a busted-up ankle, overcame Joe Burrow and the formidable Bengals defense. As Kansas City’s QB 1 would be focused on recovering for the Super Bowl, the NFL named Trevor Lawrence as his replacement for the Pro Bowl. The Jaguars QB wasn’t the only late replacement as Tyler Huntley also made it in place of Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.
After fans learned about Lawrence replacing Patrick Mahomes, they were worried about Pat’s Pro Bowl absence.
It is recovery time before Super Bowl LVII for Patrick Mahomes
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Patrick Mahomes injured his ankle in the first quarter of the Chiefs’ Divisional Round fixture against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The post-game MRI showed a high ankle sprain. However, the 2020 Super Bowl MVP had always maintained that he would be playing in the Conference Championship. And he did, despite not being at peak health and fitness.
Mahomes didn’t even sit out the Jaguars game as he returned with a semi-limp in the third and fourth quarters. And he had a touchdown too after coming back with the injury. On Sunday, there was a lot at stake since Burrow was 3-0 against Mahomes. Given that head-to-head record, the Chiefs became underdogs at the Arrowhead with chants of ‘Burrowhead’ emerging. However, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce laid to rest those trash-talkers.
Reminder:
Patrick Mahomes has a high-ankle sprain.
A high-ankle sprain is a 4-6 week injury. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/NpdMB0psVq
— PlayerProfiler NFL (@Profiler_NFL) January 30, 2023
Mahomes showed little or no concern for his ankle as he rushed for a first down in the final seconds and picked up the unnecessary roughness penalty that ultimately led to the winning field goal. As he was walking wounded, it won’t have come as a surprise to see him skip the Pro Bowl for some much-deserved and required rest before facing the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12.
Fans were more surprised with some of the other Pro Bowl alternates
The NFL world never really expected Patrick Mahomes to show up for the Pro Bowl after battling injury concerns for the past two weeks. Hence, Trevor Lawrence‘s selection came as no surprise. The Jags QB passed for over 4,100 yards this season, along with 25 touchdowns. Also, he became the third franchise quarterback to receive Pro Bowl honors.
Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert were on the alternate list. However, because of their injuries, the NFL had to go down the roll to some unexpected faces. The surprise package was the inclusion of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, who played this season in Action Jackson’s absence.
I’m sorry, what?? Tyler Huntley is in the Pro Bowl?
— E-$ (@MozeDope) January 31, 2023
Tyler Huntley, how? He played in 5 games. FIVE.
It doesn’t make any more sense now than the first time it was mentioned. He threw for 658 yds 2 TDS & 3INTs & rushed for 137— Luke (@redwoodscooter) January 31, 2023
I don’t get how Huntley was next on the list lol
— Zack Berckman (@TheZEagle25) January 31, 2023
Apparently Josh to hurt to be in Vegas but not in Pebble Beach. What a freaking joke pic.twitter.com/KogL6k5GMD
— Dave S (@DS94501) February 1, 2023
wtf is going on
— 𝖙ʀɛʋօʀ🪶 (@TuziSZN) January 31, 2023
The AFC Pro Bowl QBs pic.twitter.com/ctTHXxTQmx
— PFF (@PFF) January 31, 2023
I’m guessing none of them golf
— Eddie Royal (@EddieRoyalWR) January 31, 2023
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A joke
— 𝙱𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚎! 💭 (@WhooTheyWant) January 31, 2023
Former Raider Derek Carr will join them as the third alternate this year.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Tom Brady calls Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes overrated
Mahomes and Hurts’ absence may not come as a surprise as they will look to prepare well and guide their teams to the Vincent Lombardi Trophy. However, the NFL Pro Bowl picks certainly had fans buzzing. What did you make of the picks?