Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a right ankle injury.
Mahomes suffered the injury in the fourth quarter. He limped off the field and was replaced late in the game by backup Carson Wentz. The Chiefs called Mahomes questionable to return, but he did not, as Kansas City secured a 21–7 victory.
Head coach Andy Reid said after the game that Mahomes did not suffer a fracture and that he expects Mahomes to improve every day. He did not provide a precise diagnosis of Mahomes’ injury.
“It’s not broken, that’s what I can tell you,” Reid said. “He’ll literally be day to day as we go along. I don’t know how much swelling he has or anything like that.”
Mahomes walked to the podium after the game and added that he will have a better gauge after sleeping on the injury.
“It’s hard to say right now,” Mahomes said. “Obviously the adrenaline is still going. And usually it’s the day after that you get a good feel for it. I feel like I could have finished the game under different circumstances.
“I thought the smart decision we talked about was to get Carson involved,” Mahomes said. “He played a lot of football games and he finished the game well.”
Mahomes’ leg was pinned underneath him
Mahomes suffered the injury on a combined hit from Ogbo Okoronkwo and Mike Hall Jr. His legs got stuck under Okoronkwo’s body as Hall hit him high.
Mahomes limped off the field after the incomplete fourth down pass on the play. Wentz returned to lead the charge on Kansas City’s next possession. Mahomes remained on the Kansas City sideline as the game ended.
The injury is a major concern in Kansas City as the Chiefs approach the playoffs in their quest for a third straight Super Bowl victory. Mahomes is a two-time NFL MVP, three-time Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowler.
Kansas City has already clinched a playoff berth but is looking to retain the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which comes with a first-round bye and home field advantage during the AFC playoffs. The Chiefs also have a tight window with upcoming games around the NFL’s Christmas schedule.
3 games in 11 days for Chiefs
Kansas City will host the Houston Texans on Saturday and turn around the following Wednesday for a Christmas Day matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, making for three games in 11 days, including Sunday’s game against the Browns.
The good news for the Chiefs is that they have a cushion for the AFC’s top seed. They improved to 13-1 with Sunday’s win and maintain a multi-game lead in the AFC over the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, who were tied at 10-3 for the second-best record in the conference at the time.
Mahomes finished Sunday’s game completing 19 of 38 passes for 159 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. Wentz is a former first-round pick and starter for the Eagles, Colts and Commanders. He has seen limited NFL action since losing his starting job in Washington in 2022 and moving into a backup role this season with the Rams in 2023 and the Chiefs.
