Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mahomes Healthy But Eagles Battling Illness Before Super Bowl

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Feb 7, 2025 10:26 AM ET

The long build-up to the Super Bowl is nearly over, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are only a few days away from finally playing some football in New Orleans.

But with such a long build-up lasting two weeks, some players might be getting a little fatigued, given that the game is still a couple of days away.

Not the Chiefs though, with Patrick Mahomes stating that the team is ready to roll.

“I think guys are ready to go,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, it's a lot of buildup into the Super Bowl, and a lot of the guys have done it before, but you continue to detail the details, you continue to work hard, and all this buildup, it makes you ready to go on a Super Bowl Sunday.”

And in the other locker room? Not so much.

Multiple Eagles players are reportedly dealing with illnesses this week, with offensive lineman Lane Johnson having noted that at least "four or five" players are sick heading into Sunday's matchup against Kansas City.

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter missed media availability and Wednesday's practice with an illness, though he is fighting through it and was a full participant on Thursday - great news for Philadelphia heading into the weekend.

Rookie defensive back Quinyon Mitchell has laryngitis, though he has yet to be listed on the team's injury report.

Meanwhile, with two weeks to dot their I's and cross their T's, the Chiefs hope to hammer down on the details of their game plan, which they hope will lead to a third straight Super Bowl triumph.

Having been so consistent throughout the regular season and the playoffs, the Chiefs are one game away from NFL immortality, and the Eagles are the only team that stands in their way.

Saquon Barkley looms as a key piece that Steve Spagnuolo's defense must contain, with the running back getting loose in the secondary far too often this season.

Which team starts the better will be interesting viewing with both having to deal with all the media responsibilities and everything that Super Bowl week entails, but we are finally getting close to the game.

And the Chiefs are ready to roll.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: