Mahomes plans to practice as usual for AFC title game
The Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes went through a morning walkthrough Wednesday and intends to practice as usual, raising expectations that the AllPro quarterback will not be slowed by his sprained right ankle in this weekend's AFC title game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mahomes was hurt late in the first quarter of their divisional win over Jacksonville last Saturday, when Jaguars pass rusher Arden Key landed on him. Xrays taken during the game came back negative, and Mahomes returned in the second half to lead them to a 27-20 victory and a spot in the Chiefs' fifth straight conference title game.
“We'll see throughout the week. I haven't gotten to go out and practice yet and put myself in those positions,” Mahomes said Wednesday. “I've done limited stuff in a small box of what I can do, but I'll push today and the next day and the next day again, to not reaggravate the injury but see what I can.”
Lawyers: Judge `singled out' Ruggs
A Nevada judge on Wednesday delayed a longawaited hearing to determine whether former Las Vegas Raiders player Henry Ruggs will stand trial in a fatal 2021 crash, saying it can't proceed until the case is properly assigned to a judge in the lower court.
The decision came in response to a request filed Monday by attorneys for Ruggs asking the state judge to block Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman from presiding over the case.
Until recently, Zimmerman had been overseeing all DUI cases in Las Vegas, including the case against Ruggs, as part of a specialty court program. But those cases were transferred earlier this month to a different judge appointed to take over the specialty court.
Ruggs, who is out of custody on bail, is charged with driving under the influence on Nov. 2, 2021, and slamming his Chevrolet Corvette into the SUV of Tina Tintor, causing the vehicle to go up in flames. Trapped inside the SUV, both Tintor, 23, and her dog, Max, died.
Finalists for AP MVP awards announced
Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson and Patrick Mahomes are finalists for The Associated Press 2022 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.
The winners will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 9. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the start of the playoffs.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Bengals QB Joe Burrow also are finalists for MVP.
San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons are the finalists for AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Brian Daboll, Doug Pederson and Kyle Shanahan are the finalists for AP Coach of the Year award.