Steps for Mahomes to be in AFC Championship Game

Viewers collectively held their breath Sunday afternoon after Kansas City Chiefs' Quarterback Patrick Mahomes slowly got up after a running play in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes went to the sideline with help and then under the blue tent. He the emerged a few minutes later jogging to the training room in the locker room for further tests for a possible concussion. It wasn't too long after entering the locker room that Mahomes was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

According to one report that I read online Monday evening, the Chiefs aren't sure, or at least they wont say, it was a concussion but Mahomes is still under concussion protocol.

The AFC Championship game Sunday still isn't a certainty for Mahomes. The NFL says there is a five-step process that still needs to be cleared to allow Mahomes to be back in the game.

This wording is directly from NFL.com:

PHASE 1 - The player is prescribed rest until the signs and symptoms and neurological examination, including cognitive and balance tests, return to baseline status.

PHASE 2 - Under direct oversight of the team’s medical staff, the player should begin graduated cardiovascular exercise and may also engage in dynamic stretching and balance training.

PHASE 3 - The player continues with graduated cardiovascular exercises that are increased and may mimic sport-specific activities, and supervised strength training is introduced.

PHASE 4 - The player continues cardiovascular, strength and balance training and participates in non-contact football activities (e.g. throwing, catching, running, and other position-specific activities.

PHASE 5 - Upon clearance by the team physician for full football activity involving contact, the player must be examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant (INC) assigned to his club. If the INC concurs with the team physician that the player’s concussion has resolved, he may participate in the club’s next practice or game.