Tests confirm Patrick Mahomes injury as doctor raises concerns over Chiefs schedule

The extent of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ injury has been revealed.

Mahomes underwent tests after sustaining a worrying injury to his right ankle during the Chiefs’ comprehensive win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The three-time Super Bowl winner limped off the field during the fourth quarter after trying to deliver a jumping pass but was pinched between a number of Browns defenders.

Initial X-rays returned negative with subsequent tests now confirming that Mahomes suffered a mild high ankle sprain. Mahomes voiced his original doubts over his availability for the Chiefs next game against the Houston Texans on Sunday and his involvement may still remain touch and go.

The Chiefs face a busy Christmas schedule with the Texans to come on December 21, before just four days later they travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers on Christmas Day. It’s reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport via sources that Mahomes status for the Texans is in doubt but he will be “fine long-term”.

However, Tom Christ, a physical therapy doctor, gave concerns Mahomes may have ruptured his MCL according to his analysis. “Right ankle gets caught, eversion mechanism which can cause a high ankle or medial ankle sprain. Also, looking at the right knee twisting, which would be concerning for MCL but not sure that’s the problem,” Christ said as per Essentially Sports.

Mahomes was replaced in the final stages of the Browns win by veteran backup Carson Wentz, who is in line to start if the 29-year-old is ruled out. Wentz completed both of his passes for 20 yards in his limited minutes against Cleveland.

Following the game, Mahomes spoke to the press about his injury where he appeared to dispel fears that his problem could be serious as he insisted he could have finished the game had the scoreline been different.

Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.© Getty Images

“It’s hard to say right now. You still [have the] adrenaline rolling and usually it’s kind of the day after when you kind of get a good sense of it,” said Mahomes after the game. “I feel like I could have finished the game in different circumstances, but I thought the smart decision was to put Carson Wentz in.”

“You just do what you have to do to get back, and I think that’s the most important thing,” he continued. “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.”

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid revealed that Mahomes was adamant he wanted to finish the game but said the decision was an easy one to protect the star. “He [Mahomes] wanted to fight about it, but we have a nice support for him,” Reid said. “[Mahomes] wanted to go back in. He’s a tough kid and there was no need for that.”

The Chiefs are in pole position to finish as the top seed with them recording one win more than the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions. They’ll be looking to extend their 13-1 record in the final three games of the regular season against the Texans and Steelers before facing the Denver Broncos.