Details regarding Patrick Mahomes’ injury have emerged following his early exit from the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against the Cleveland Browns.
Sources close to Mahomes informed NFL national insider Ian Rapoport that the star quarterback has been diagnosed with a mild high-ankle sprain after undergoing several tests. Despite the injury, Mahomes is considered week-to-week.
Rapoport confirmed the diagnosis, noting, “Tests confirmed initial thoughts,” and highlighted the challenging schedule ahead for the Chiefs, which includes a Saturday game and a quick turnaround for Christmas. The Chiefs are set to face the Houston Texans on December 21 and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 25.
Mahomes reportedly aggravated the injury during a touchdown pass to Samaje Perine in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after initially tweaking his ankle against the Las Vegas Raiders the previous week.
Following the Buccaneers game, Mahomes admitted that the injury was concerning, particularly because it affected the same ankle he had rolled the week before. “It scared me a little bit,” Mahomes said, acknowledging the sharp pain that triggered fears of a more serious injury.
Despite the injury, Mahomes expressed his desire to return to the field. “I wanted to go back out there,” he explained after the Chiefs’ victory over the Browns. “I probably would’ve fought a little bit harder if the game had been one score.”
He acknowledged that it was difficult to assess the injury immediately after the game due to the adrenaline, with a clearer picture typically emerging the following day.
Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid reassured the media after the game, stating that Mahomes’ ankle was not broken, but noted that the quarterback was now “day-to-day.” Reid further explained that Mahomes could have returned to the game, but there was no need to risk it.
The Chiefs are currently 13-1 for the 2024 season and are the reigning Super Bowl champions. As of now, Mahomes has accumulated 3,348 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in the season, according to ESPN.