Andy Reid doesn't know if Patrick Mahomes will clear the NFL's concussion protocol in time to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

However, the Kansas City Chiefs coach indicated Mahomes might have felt well enough to have returned to Sunday's playoff game against the Cleveland Browns.

"There was a chance back in the day that Patrick comes back in [the game]," Reid said. "You saw him run up the tunnel. By the time he got to that point, he was feeling pretty good. But there's a certain protocol you have to follow and that takes it out of the trainer's hand and the player's hand and the doctor's hand."

Mahomes was replaced in the third quarter by Chad Henne, who finished the Chiefs' 22-17 win over the Browns.

The Chiefs face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Arrowhead in the AFC title game. Reid said they would have a plan whether Mahomes or Henne starts at quarterback.

"Because of the protocol, it's a no-brainer from a coaching standpoint,'' Reid said. "You don't have to think about it. You just have to go forward and make sure you have an answer if he's there and an answer if he's not there. I can't tell you from a medical standpoint. I don't know that. That's their decision and I just follow it.''