Neither MVP candidate quarterback in Super Bowl LVII will be playing at full-strength. But that isn't stopping them from giving it their all on football's biggest stage.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in the divisional round against the Jaguars three weeks ago.
The play where Patrick Mahomes injured his ankle pic.twitter.com/D1fABSL414
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 21, 2023
The takedown forced the two-time NFL MVP out of the game, but he returned in the second half and hobbled his team toward their fifth-consecutive AFC Championship berth.
Mahomes' lingering injury was noticeable in Kansas City's matchup against the Bengals, but it wasn't enough to deter him from toughing out a game-winning run.
Injury or no injury Mahomes is all out for the first down. Game winning FG! pic.twitter.com/UaCoiA7nu7
— The Irish NFL Show (@IreNFL) January 30, 2023
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said Mahomes likely still isn't fully healed, but he remains confident in the face of the franchise.
"He's doing great this week, I don't know that he'll be at 100%, but he sure is going to tell you otherwise," Hunt said on "Fox and Friends" talk show Friday, according to Fox News.
In the other huddle, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is still dealing with a shoulder injury caused from a crushing tackle against the Bears in Week 15.
Here’s the play where QB Jalen Hurts suffered his right shoulder injury
— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) December 19, 2022
His stats after: 7-10 for 110 passing yards, 4 rushes for 11 yards and a TD
Full analysis⏩https://t.co/F0foxIeTTX#NFL #Eagles #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/MJGxdXjPoi
The blow kept the 24-year-old out the following two games, both of which the Eagles lost. Hurts has since played through the injury, but is still dealing with pain from ligament and joint sprains, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Hurts said he going into the game with a mentality he learned from basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
"It's about eliminating external factors, things that don't matter, and focusing on what's important," Hurts said in a press conference this week.
Jalen Hurts made this throw with a sprained shoulder pic.twitter.com/CfaVmZI2uN
— NFL Slime (@TerryFranconia) December 19, 2022
Hurts and Mahomes are set to lead their teams into battle Sunday night and showcase why they are the two best quarterbacks in the league. And the toughest.
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