Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury came at a bad time for the Kansas City Chiefs as they enter the home stretch of the 2024 season toward the playoffs.

Mahomes suffered the injury Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, days after he complained about having to play three games in 11 days. NFL Network reported that he suffered a mild upper ankle sprain.

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Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., #51, and linebacker Devin Bush, #30, rush Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15, during the second half at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

Matt Ryan, a former NFL MVP who led the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance, said Monday the Chiefs should sideline Mahomes until the playoffs.

“If it were me, I would sit him. I think the most important thing is that he’s healthy for the playoffs and his ankles are tough,” he said on “CBS Sports HQ.” “I know he’s done this before in the playoffs, kind of played through it and played really well with it, but these are playoff games.”

“When I look at this regular season, they have a two-game lead in the AFC, they have those two games in a row. Maybe you can bring him back for Week 18 to get some rhythm in the playoffs, but we’ll see how bad the injury is and how he heals from it over the next few days.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, No. 15, walks to the sideline during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 15, 2024 in Cleveland. (Scott Galvin-Imagn Images)

“I wouldn’t have any concerns about giving him some rest and making sure he’s healthy. In my opinion, if you want to go to your third Super Bowl, you have to have him as fresh as possible.”

Mahomes has struggled with ankle injuries in the past.

In 2023, he was eliminated in a playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Super Bowl LVII as the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, #94, helps Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15, after a tackle in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland. (Scott Galvin-Imagn Images)

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It’s unclear what the Chiefs will do at this point. They play a game against the Houston Texans on Saturday and then travel to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.

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