Maclin (ankle) remains in limbo as Chiefs prepare for Patriots
Maclin (ankle) remains in limbo as Chiefs prepare for Patriots
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The Kansas City Chiefs cobbled together an 11-game win streak that included their first playoff triumph in 22 years by using backups, third-stringers and a whole lot of scotch tape
To keep it going, they may have to be resourceful again
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin had an MRI on Sunday that showed his right ACL was intact, but revealed a sprained ankle sustained in the Chiefs' 30-0 romp in Houston.
While the severity of the ankle injury was unknown, it is unlikely Maclin will be available for Sunday's divisional game in New England
I hate to jump conclusions, or jump ahead. Let me just gather the information," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "Right now I'm telling you most of his pain is in his ankle, more than his knee."
The Chiefs initially feared that Maclin had hurt his knee ligament, which he's twice had surgically repaired. That it was an ankle injury provides some hope he'll play again in the playoffs
Maclin missed a game against Pittsburgh earlier this season with a concussion, and rookie Chris Conley had six receptions in his place in the game that started the Chiefs' 11-game win streak. Conley also replaced him for the remainder of the Houston game, and caught a touchdown pass on a play that was designed with Maclin in mind
"I was proud of him for stepping in," said Reid, who believes Conley is better equipped to take over the job now than he was in Week 7. "I think we're OK there
Perhaps they are OK. But without Maclin, they would lose by far their top downfield threat
The veteran had 87 receptions for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns this season, while Conley managed just 17 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown
Maclin's absence would also deprive Alex Smith of his biggest safety blanket. Whenever things go awry, the Chiefs' quarterback has a tendency to look in Maclin's direction
