Mahomes Completes 23 Passes After Taking Hit to Throwing Arm
The Chiefs quarterback returned to the field after an elbow injury sustained against the Jets, though he will undergo further imaging before Monday's update.
By Robert Ward ·
Patrick Mahomes completed 23 of 31 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday as the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New York Jets 35-12. The quarterback did not miss a snap despite suffering an elbow injury late in the second quarter.
The injury occurred when Jets defensive end David Bailey executed a strip-sack. Mahomes remained on the field, clutching his throwing arm before rolling onto his knees. He was assisted to the sideline in visible discomfort and received treatment during the subsequent defensive series.
Initial sideline evaluations by the Chiefs' medical staff did not indicate ligament damage. Mahomes stated that he planned to undergo additional imaging immediately after his media availability to confirm the extent of the injury. He expected head coach Andy Reid to provide a status update at a press conference at noon Monday.
"Anytime it's elbows and knees, it's always scary, just because you just don't know," Mahomes said. He drew a parallel to his previous season, when he missed the final three games after tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee. Although he could walk off the field then, subsequent testing revealed the severity of the damage.
Mahomes acknowledged that his throwing mechanics were affected in the immediate aftermath. "Out of half, I wasn't throwing the ball the way I wanted to," he said. He reported that the arm felt tighter initially but loosened up as the game progressed. His statistics reflect this adjustment: he was 10 of 14 for 108 yards with two touchdowns before the hit and 13 of 17 for 136 yards after returning.
Right guard Trey Smith said the offensive line viewed the hit as a failure to protect their quarterback. "We've got to put that on ourselves and do a better job protecting the greatest quarterback in the game," Smith said. Reid described Mahomes as a tough competitor who would return if he could manage the discomfort.
Mahomes vowed to prepare for the Chiefs' next game, a noon kickoff Sunday in Atlanta against the Falcons. The team holds a 6-2 record, while the Falcons are 3-6. Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 143 yards and scored three touchdowns in Sunday's win, said Mahomes' willingness to play despite the pain reflects his competitive nature.
