Jan. 9, 2016; Houston; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) during the second half against the Texans at NRG Stadium. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin did not practice Tuesday as the Chiefs prepare to face the New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs.
But Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Maclin, who is dealing with what Reid called a “mild high-ankle sprain,” could play Saturday without practicing in the coming days.
“He can do that,” Reid said. “He might not have to do that, but he can do that.”
Maclin went down in the third quarter against the Houston Texans in the opening round of the playoffs.
There was fear Maclin suffered an ACL injury to his right knee, which would have marked the third such injury to the same knee, before an MRI on Sunday reflected the ankle sprain.
The results offered the Chiefs a sense of relief.
“It all worked out as we made our way back,” Reid said. “He didn’t have any swelling in it. The docs and Jeremy were, ‘Whoa, maybe it’s something a little different.’ The pain started going down a little more towards the ankle, so positive thing.”
Reid said Maclin is “making progress” and the wide receiver’s status was day to day.
Maclin was observed at his locker during the open media locker room session with a wrap on his right ankle. He did appear to have a noticeable limp when he departed the locker room.
If Maclin is unavailable, the Chiefs are left with wide receivers Jason Avant, Albert Wilson, Frankie Hammond Jr., and rookie Chris Conley on the active 53-man roster.
Reid indicated he wasn’t concerned with the depth.
“I think we’ll be OK,” Reid said. “I’m not worried about it.”
Maclin finished the regular season as the team’s leading receiver, totaling 87 catches for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns.
Wilson was third on team with 35 catches for 451 yards and two touchdowns, while Conley totaled 17 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown. Avant had 15 catches for 119 yards and Hammond did not record a reception.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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