Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes avoided a serious setback to his throwing arm on Sunday, completing a 35-12 victory over the New York Jets despite an alarming second-quarter collision.
Mahomes was hit directly on his right elbow by Jets rookie pass rusher David Bailey while attempting a pass late in the first half. The blow forced a fumble and left Mahomes holding his arm in obvious discomfort. Despite grimacing through sideline warm-up throws with athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, Mahomes did not miss an offensive drive. After a missed field goal by New York, he re-entered the contest before halftime and then orchestrated a 21-point third quarter to secure the win.
Sideline Evaluation and Relief
Mahomes finished the afternoon completing 23 of 31 pass attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Head coach Andy Reid prepared backup quarterback Justin Fields to take over, but Mahomes took the field once Kansas City regained possession.
Later Sunday evening, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that a postgame MRI confirmed Mahomes did not sustain a major injury, according to Arrowhead Pride.
Mahomes acknowledged after the game that the incident caused immediate concern, particularly given his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered last December. However, he noted that his ability to grip and launch the football quickly eased his greatest worries about significant structural damage.
“From the stories you hear, whenever you can grab the ball and try to throw it, you can’t throw,” Mahomes said, as reported by NBC Sports. “Once I threw the football, I knew it wasn’t — hopefully, I haven’t done the test yet, it wasn’t ligament-type stuff, it was more muscle-type stuff.”
Mahomes added that his arm loosened up after halftime adjustments. “If I’m able to play, I’m gonna play,” he said, according to NBC Sports. “That’s part of the game. That’s part of playing.”
Roster Battered by Additional Injuries
Reid praised the quarterback’s resolve while noting that soreness is inevitable heading into the week. In comments shared by A to Z Sports and ClutchPoints, Reid commended Frymyer’s work on the sideline to keep the passer functional throughout the second half.
The Chiefs sustained other key injuries during the contest. Tackle Jaylon Moore exited with an ankle injury, while wide receiver Xavier Worthy left in the fourth quarter because of a hamstring problem. Reid said both players would undergo further assessment in the coming days.
Kansas City, now 6-2 on the season, could see help arrive on defense soon. CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson reported before Sunday’s kickoff that the team remains optimistic rookie first-round selections Mansoor Delane and Peter Woods could return for Week 10.
What Comes Next
Kansas City travels to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. Reid is scheduled to provide a formal medical update on Mahomes and the rest of the injured Chiefs players on Monday morning.
