Chiefs have Pro Bowl S Tyrann Mathieu for AFC title game vs Bengals

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Tyrann Mathieu cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and the Chiefs removed his injury designation about three hours before kickoff, clearing the way for the Pro Bowl safety to play against the Bengals on Sunday in the AFC championship game.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Mathieu lasted only seven plays in the divisional round against Buffalo last weekend before taking a knee to the helmet from teammate Jarran Reed while tracking down Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the first quarter. Mathieu was examined briefly in the sideline tent, then headed to the locker room and did not return to the field.

The Chiefs had been optimistic all week Mathieu would play, though. He practiced fully each day, and the only hurdle left was to pass the league's rigorous testing protocol to play in Kansas City's fourth straight conference title game.

"I thought he did a nice job," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said this week. "He moved around well."

The Chiefs also have one of their best defensive backs, Rashad Fenton, who missed their first two playoff games with a back injury. He practiced fully all week and did not appear on the final injury report.

Fenton was third on the team with seven tackles, and Mathieu had six, when Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase torched the Kansas City defense in a 34-31 victory earlier this month.

Burrow threw for 446 yards and four touchdowns while Chase caught 11 passes for 266 yards and three of the TDs.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 14: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to  a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021