Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid suggested on Wednesday that Tyrann Mathieu could return to practice on Thursday if everything went according to plan. Well, it looks like things went according to plan.
During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to the media, numerous reporters spotted Mathieu back on the field with a helmet. The veteran safety was knocked out of the divisional-round game against the Buffalo Bills and placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Mathieu’s return to practice doesn’t necessarily suggest that he has cleared the NFL’s return-to-play protocols. It does mean, however, that he is progressing through the protocols. The fact that he’s practicing is a good sign that he’ll have a chance to play on Sunday in the AFC championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The key today will be for him to make it through a full or limited practice without recurrence of symptoms.
Here are some tweets, pictures and videos about his return to work from members of the local beat:
Tyrann Mathieu is at Chiefs practice with a helmet today. A good sign for his potential to play Sunday.
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) January 27, 2022
Chiefs S Tyrann Mathieu back on the practice field today. The entire team was present for work. pic.twitter.com/DLVHXz7zO8
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) January 27, 2022
Full house at Thursday practice for the Chiefs, including S Tyrann Mathieu out of concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/NBznw5y0io
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) January 27, 2022
Chiefs Safety Tyrann Mathieu is back at practice today. #ChiefsKingdom
— Rob Collins (@RCFOX4KC) January 27, 2022
All the #Chiefs on the active roster were spotted at practice during the media look, including Rashad Fenton, Darrel Williams — and yes, Tyrann Mathieu.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) January 27, 2022
Mathieu’s return to action will be important for the Chiefs and its secondary. He’s the leader of that position group and does a lot of work to make sure they’re lined up properly and at their best on any given week. Against a high-powered receiver corps that features Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, Kansas City will need Mathieu on the field to ensure they’re ready for the challenge.
[listicle id=118537]