A scary moment at Arrowhead Stadium had Chiefs Kingdom holding its breath on Monday night as Patrick Mahomes hobbled off the field after appearing to injure his left ankle. But despite the alarm bells ringing, the two-time NFL MVP proved once again why he’s the ultimate competitor—returning to the field after a brief medical check and leading Kansas City to a 30-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Though Mahomes showed resilience and finished the game with stellar numbers—34-of-44 passing for 291 yards and three touchdowns—the injury raises concerns about his health moving forward. Fortunately, it appears the injury is not as severe as initially feared.
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A Scary Moment for Mahomes and the Chiefs
Mahomes’ scare came in the second quarter when he awkwardly landed on his left ankle while delivering a touchdown pass to running back Samaje Perine. The awkward landing left Mahomes visibly shaken, and he was helped off the field and quickly ushered into the blue medical tent. For a brief moment, it seemed as though Mahomes might not return to the game, and Chiefs fans held their breath as they recalled the painful memories of his previous playoff ankle injury in 2022.
However, after a quick evaluation, Mahomes returned to the field and wasted no time leading the Chiefs to two more touchdown drives, helping secure the win and keeping Kansas City’s perfect season intact. The victory pushed the Chiefs to an 8-0 record, and Mahomes was in top form despite the scare.
Andy Reid’s Lighthearted Take
After the game, head coach Andy Reid lightened the mood by cracking a joke about Mahomes’ ankle injury. When asked about the situation, Reid joked that Mahomes had the “loosest ankles in America,” a playful remark that brought some humor to what was, for a time, a tense moment.
But while Reid’s humor may have defused the situation publicly, Mahomes wasn’t laughing during the game. Speaking to reporters after the victory, Mahomes opened up about the injury. He revealed that the ankle was the same one he had rolled the week before, but assured everyone that it wasn’t as severe as the injury he had suffered during the 2022 playoffs, which led to a lengthy recovery.
“I was scared at first,” Mahomes said, expressing concern after feeling the familiar twinge in his left ankle. “It scared me a little bit. But it’s not as bad as it was two years ago, so I’ll be good to go. I didn’t think it would stop me from playing against the Broncos on Sunday.”
Chiefs Moving Forward: Ankle Injury a Concern for Mahomes
While Mahomes was able to finish strong against Tampa Bay, the nagging ankle injury will remain a concern for the Chiefs moving forward. The fact that he’s dealing with a re-aggravation of the same ankle he injured just a week ago only adds to the worry. As the Chiefs look to stay perfect in the competitive AFC West, Mahomes will need to keep his health in check, especially with a divisional game against the Denver Broncos coming up on Sunday.
Despite his optimism, Mahomes acknowledged that the ankle would continue to be a concern until fully healed. While his competitive spirit is unquestionable, the Chiefs will need to monitor the injury closely in the coming weeks to ensure that it doesn’t affect his performance or long-term health.
As the Chiefs march forward in their bid for another Super Bowl, Mahomes’ health is the key factor that could make or break their season. If the ankle injury lingers, it could limit Mahomes’ mobility—something that is critical to his unique style of play. Fortunately, Mahomes has the mental toughness and the skill set to overcome physical hurdles, but a full recovery will be necessary for the Chiefs to maintain their high level of play.
With a 8-0 record and a pivotal game against the Denver Broncos on the horizon, the Chiefs are in prime position to make another deep playoff run. But for that to happen, Mahomes must be healthy. Chiefs fans will be hoping that this is nothing more than a minor setback in what has been another spectacular season for their quarterback.
For now, Mahomes is expected to play against Denver next week, but Kansas City’s coaching staff will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on his recovery to ensure he’s fully prepared for the challenges ahead. If Mahomes can stay healthy, the Chiefs are still one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.
