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(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Patrick Mahomes finished a full week of practice on his ailing right ankle Friday, and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid pronounced his All-Pro quarterback ready to go for the AFC championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mahomes sustained a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of last week's divisional-round win over Jacksonville, returning after halftime to polish off the victory. That sent the Chiefs to their fifth consecutive AFC championship game, where they will face the AFC North champions on Sunday night in a rematch of last year's overtime loss to the Bengals.

"He looks good," Reid said. "I mean, he's moving around good. He's going to go out and play."

Leafs' Matthews out 3 weeks, to miss ASG
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews will miss at least three weeks with a sprained knee. The team announced the reigning MVP's anticipated absence Friday, two days after Matthews was injured in Toronto's victory against the New York Rangers. (MORE)

LaFleur to be Rams OC after leaving Jets
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Rams are hiring former New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Rams haven't formally announced the decision to hire LaFleur, who spent the past two years with New York. (MORE)

McIlroy, Reed both open 6-under in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed produced big first-round finishes at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday in what could lead to an intriguing showdown as the competition heads to a Monday conclusion.

LIV Golf series players Richard Bland and Ian Poulter were tied atop the leaderboard at 8-under overall when second-round play was suspended Friday because of fading light. It was the second straight day of disrupted play at Emirates Golf Club. (MORE)

Doncic out Saturday for sprained ankle
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will miss a game at Utah on Saturday after spraining his left ankle against Phoenix in the opener of a two-game trip. Doncic's absence leaves the Mavericks without their top two scorers. Christian Wood is recovering from a broken left thumb. (MORE)

Falcons name Saints' Nielsen DC
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) The Atlanta Falcons found their new defensive coordinator from an NFC South rival's coaching staff on Friday by hiring Ryan Nielsen, the former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator. Nielsen replaces Dean Pees, 73, who retired on Jan. 9 following two seasons in charge of the defense on coach Arthur Smith's staff. (MORE)

Miami fires OC Gattis after 1 season

Tua out of Pro Bowl, still in protocol
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and will not participate in the 2023 Pro Bowl, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced officially. (MORE)

Braves extend Snitker through 2025
ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, coming off the team's fifth consecutive NL East title, signed a contract extension on Friday that runs through the 2025 season. Snitker, 67, guided the Braves to the 2021 World Series championship before the team won 101 games last season. (MORE)

Wilks 'not defeated' by Panthers' choice
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Former Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks is "disappointed, but not defeated" that he didn't land the team's full-time head coaching position. The Panthers announced on Thursday they've agreed to hire Frank Reich as their coach. (MORE)