Patrick Mahomes should have his favorite target available for the Chiefs' biggest game of the 2022 season so far.
Tight end Travis Kelce is expected to play in the AFC Championship Game against Cincinnati despite being a late add to the injury report on Friday due to back spasms, NFL Network's James Palmer reported, per sources.
Kelce practiced in full Friday, but he was still designated as questionable heading into a rematch of last year's conference title game.
Having Kelce available as a safety valve will be imperative for Mahomes, who was designation-free after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Divisional Round but is sure to remain somewhat hobbled.
The two have already connected for one touchdown this postseason, and Kelce caught a second from backup QB Chad Henne in last week's win over Jacksonville when Mahomes missed most of the second quarter to have his ankle evaluated.
Kelce hauled in a season-high 14 catches for 98 yards in that contest. He was the Chiefs' preeminent receiving threat, just like he's been all year. The 33-year-old led Kansas City pass catchers with 1,338 receiving yards in the regular season -- more than 400 yards clear of JuJu Smith-Schuster, second on the team -- and he set career highs with 110 receptions and 12 touchdowns.
The Chiefs will need that production to continue if they hope to down the Bengals and move on to Super Bowl LVII.
The AFC title game kicks off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
