In Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced a moment of uncertainty after injuring his left ankle in the fourth quarter. Mahomes, who had already hurt the same ankle the previous week, felt a sharp pain and momentarily feared the injury could force him out of the game. Despite the scare, Mahomes managed to stay on the field and played a crucial role in leading the Chiefs to a 30-24 overtime victory, maintaining their undefeated 8-0 record.
Mahomes has dealt with ankle injuries in the past, notably in a 2022 playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he injured his right ankle. On that occasion, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had pulled Mahomes from the game and required him to get an X-ray before allowing him to return, despite Mahomes’ protests. This time around, Reid initially indicated he would do the same, telling Mahomes he would be benched. However, Mahomes, determined to continue, assured Reid the injury wasn’t as severe as his previous one, persuading the coach to let him stay in the game.
Reid had even asked backup quarterback Carson Wentz to prepare to enter, highlighting Reid’s caution and Mahomes’ resilience. The coach acknowledged Mahomes’ competitive nature, noting that the quarterback likely would have resisted being taken out. Mahomes described his initial reaction as disbelief, recalling how he thought Reid was joking when he suggested pulling him. After passing sideline examinations and mobility tests, Mahomes ultimately remained in the game, a decision that proved pivotal to the Chiefs’ success.
Mahomes’ injury occurred on a non-contact play as he was attempting a touchdown pass to running back Samaje Perine. Mahomes, initially intending to run, decided to pass at the last moment, which caused an awkward roll of his ankle. Although he felt sharp pain and fear at first, the pain eventually subsided, allowing him to continue without significant limitations. Reflecting on the play, Mahomes noted that the injury was less severe than previous ones, as he retained mobility in his ankle.
Looking ahead, Mahomes expressed confidence about his availability for the upcoming game against the Denver Broncos, despite anticipating some swelling. He planned to follow a treatment routine during the short week to manage the injury. Mahomes’ ability to bounce back not only secured the Chiefs’ win but also underscored his resilience and commitment to the team, qualities that have been instrumental in Kansas City’s success this season.
