Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs Pro Bowl S Tyrann Mathieu ruled out vs. Bills with concussion

The Kansas City Chiefs entered halftime of their AFC divisional-round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday locked in a 14-14 tie. If they are to advance to their fourth consecutive AFC Championship game next weekend, they'll have to do so without the services of one of their best defenders.

The 29-year-old, who was recently named to his third Pro Bowl team, left the contest in the first quarter after he was hit in the head by a teammate's knee on Buffalo's first drive. Mathieu led all Kansas City players with three interceptions and a career-high three fumble recoveries during the regular season, while finishing tied for third with 76 tackles as well.

Mathieu has played in at least 10 games in every one of his nine NFL seasons, including 16 during the 2021 campaign. He was inactive for the Chiefs' Week 1 contest against the Cleveland Browns after coming off of the reserve/COVID-19 list just one day before the season-opener.

The winner of the Bills-Chiefs contest will host the Cincinnati Bengals at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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