Patrick Mahomes’ injury woes took center stage after the Kansas City Chiefs‘ 21-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The Chiefs quarterback, who was having another strong performance, was forced out of the game after suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. With the Chiefs now facing a short turnaround before next Saturday’s matchup against the Houston Texans, the big question on everyone’s mind is: How serious is the injury, and will Mahomes be ready to play?
Mahomes’ Injury: What Happened?
Midway through the fourth quarter, Mahomes was hit hard while attempting a fourth-down pass. As he was dragged down from behind by Cleveland defender Dalvin Tomlinson, Mahomes was simultaneously hit high by Mike Hall. The combination of the hits caused Mahomes’ right ankle to take the brunt of the force, and he immediately limped off the field in noticeable pain.
“I was trying to run up in the pocket, obviously fourth down, trying to make a play happen,” Mahomes said after the game. “And as I threw the ball, I kind of got hit — and I haven’t seen it — but it felt like someone hit me from behind as well. I kind of just got rolled up on. It kind of happens in football, and so I tried to bounce back up, but obviously, it hurt a little bit.”
Despite the injury, Mahomes expressed his desire to continue playing. However, with the Chiefs up by two touchdowns and the game winding down, coach Andy Reid made the decision to pull Mahomes and allow backup quarterback Carson Wentz to finish the game.
How Severe Is the Injury?
Coach Reid confirmed that the injury was not a break, though Mahomes’ ankle was sore. “It’s sore and he’ll get started on the rehab part of it as we go, and then we’ll just have to see how he does down the road here,” Reid said.
While Reid’s comments suggest the injury may not be season-threatening, the uncertainty surrounding Mahomes’ ability to play next week against the Texans is still very much up in the air. Mahomes himself admitted that it’s difficult to gauge the severity of an injury immediately after a game, saying, “It’s hard to say right now. You still [have the] adrenaline rolling and usually it’s kind of the day after when you get a good sense of it.”
Mahomes’ Confidence in Recovery
Despite the injury, Mahomes remained upbeat about his recovery. “You just do what you have to do to get back, and I think that’s the most important thing,” he said. “And now we just get back to the rehab part, the treatment part, and try to get ourselves ready on a short week against a good football team.”
The Chiefs have a quick turnaround, with their next game just six days away, meaning Mahomes will need to recover quickly if he hopes to take the field against the Texans. Given how essential Mahomes is to the team’s success, his status will likely be a major talking point heading into the week.
The Chiefs’ Offensive Struggles
While Mahomes’ injury is the main story, there were also signs of offensive struggles for the Chiefs. Mahomes had a tough time with the Cleveland defense, getting pressured 21 times, according to ESPN Research. He finished the game with 159 yards on 19-of-38 passing, including two touchdowns, but also had six incomplete passes and looked out of sync with his offensive line.
The Chiefs were forced to go three-and-out on both of their possessions immediately prior to Mahomes’ injury, which raised questions about the offensive playcalling. “You’ve got to be able to throw the ball in this league,” Reid said after the game. “Some of our runs didn’t work too well either, so we’ve got to make sure we clean that up and get that going. That’s where I can kind of give him [better plays], do a better job there for him.”
While Mahomes’ ability to extend plays is a huge asset, his tendency to try to make big plays, rather than taking what the defense gives him, could have contributed to some of the pressure he faced. Mahomes himself acknowledged the need to trust the offense more. “I’ve just got to do a better job of going through my progressions and trusting the offense, getting the ball out of my hands and letting guys make plays,” Mahomes said. “My nature is to try to make the big play happen, and sometimes defenses stop that, and then when it’s not there, go for the underneath stuff and keep it moving.”
Carson Wentz’s Role
With Mahomes sidelined, Carson Wentz came in to finish the game, and while he didn’t have to do much, his presence allowed the Chiefs to maintain control and run out the clock. Wentz completed just a handful of passes and didn’t make any critical errors, but his ability to move the ball and manage the game was crucial as the Chiefs closed out the victory.
“I thought he did a great job moving the football, running time off the clock and putting us in a position to win the football game,” Mahomes said, showing confidence in his backup.
The Big Picture: What’s Next for the Chiefs?
The Chiefs remain in good shape with an 11-2 record, but with Mahomes’ injury and the offensive line showing some vulnerability, they will need to address these issues as they prepare for their final stretch of games. Whether Mahomes is ready to play next Saturday against the Texans will have a significant impact on the team’s ability to secure the top seed in the AFC and make a run at the Super Bowl.
As the Chiefs focus on getting Mahomes back to full health, the next few days of rehab will be crucial. While the injury isn’t expected to be a long-term issue, the quick turnaround could mean the difference between Mahomes taking the field or leaving the fate of the Chiefs in the hands of Wentz.
The Chiefs have been successful all season thanks to Mahomes’ playmaking ability, but this injury serves as a reminder of how quickly things can change in the NFL. As they prepare for the Texans, all eyes will be on Mahomes’ ankle and whether he’ll be able to lead Kansas City to another victory.
