Patrick Mahomes looks to have avoided a serious ankle injury in his team’s dramatic 30-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback landed awkwardly early in the fourth quarter on Monday and was asked by reporters on Wednesday about his availability for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos.
“When you have a little bit of a roll, it’s a little bit sore,” Mahomes admitted. “But I’m able to move around and look forward to getting out to practice and seeing how I can push it as the week goes on.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Mahomes is a full participant at practice, indicating he will likely play on Sunday. The 29-year-old has missed just one game in the last four seasons.
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With the Chiefs trailing 17-10 early in the fourth quarter and driving into Tampa Bay territory, Mahomes scrambled right and flicked the ball to a wide-open Samaje Perine in the end zone.
The franchise quarterback was untouched by clearly landing awkwardly on his right ankle. He cowered over in pain and his teammates were celebrating; however, the former NFL MVP would remain in the contest.
Mahomes would throw a touchdown pass to new-addition DeAndre Hopkins on the next possession to give Kansas City the lead before Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers equalized.
The Chiefs won the coin toss in overtime and promptly marched 70 yards to score, punctuated by a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Kareem Hunt.
Mahomes had arguably his best game of the season – he completed 34 of his 44 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Those three scores brought his touchdown-interception ratio out of the red and up to 11-9 on the year. His 291 yards tied for his second most of the campaign.
Hopkins was acquired from the Tennessee Titans for just a fifth-round pick and was the other star of the Kansas City offense. The veteran receiver caught eight passes for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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Mahomes didn’t try to initially downplay the injury postgame but indicated he was comfortable playing through it. “You feel the pain and that scares you because I’ve dealt with ankle [injuries] before.”
“I just kind of laid there and as time went on the pain subsided. I just kind of got to it, and got moving again and felt comfortable going out there.”
Mahomes indicated he was doing better on Tuesday. “You come in early [Tuesday] and it was a long day yesterday of watching film and getting treatment, and doing some rehab-type stuff, and preparing yourself for a short week and a practice [Wednesday].”
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