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It looked like a serious injury for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Then he did what he always did

Posted on by Kennedy
It looked like a serious injury for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Then he did what he always did

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Within seconds, the loud noise at Arrowhead Stadium quieted. Most fans fell silent.

Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs' leading man, had thrown a touchdown pass but finished the game with his hands on his helmet and his face mask on the wet turf, his knees and elbows close together to illustrate how much pain he felt. In those seconds, everyone in the Chiefs organization wondered what had happened. What body part did Mahomes hurt? Could he even finish Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Or did he suffer a scary season-ending non-contact injury that potentially ended the Chiefs' chances of an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl victory?

As Mahomes entered the medical tent on the Chiefs' sideline, coach Andy Reid walked up to Carson Wentz and told the veteran backup quarterback to prepare to end the game. Mahomes left the tent in less than two minutes.

“I thought he was joking,” Mahomes said with a smile. “I was like, 'Come on, let's not do this again.'”

Unlike the AFC divisional round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2022 postseason, Mahomes did not miss a snap against the Buccaneers despite a sprained left ankle. Much like that memorable playoff game that began the team's championship run, Mahomes returned to the field and, despite his injury, played most of the fourth quarter and overtime to keep the Chiefs (8-0) within one on Monday night A rain shower led to a 30:24 comeback victory.

“He trusts me,” Mahomes said of Reid. “After the doctors checked it out and I was able to come back and do the (dropbacks) again, he let me back on the field. Over time the pain subsided.”

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Early in the fourth quarter, Mahomes sustained his injury when he crawled out of the pocket and threw a short pass to running back Samaje Perine, whose 7-yard touchdown clinched the game. Mahomes said he felt pain in his ankle when he planted his left foot on the slippery bush just before releasing the pass.

Two trainers had to help Mahomes walk the field to further evaluate him. Inside the tent, additional tape was applied to Mahomes' left ankle and foot to relieve swelling.

“I was running toward the goal line with my mind set on running the ball,” Mahomes said. “At the last second I saw Samaje and awkwardly rolled my ankle a little. It was definitely scary. It hurt more because it was the same ankle I rolled last week (against the Las Vegas Raiders). After I calmed down a bit, it wasn’t that bad in the end.”

With 12 minutes left in regulation, Arrowhead fans gave an even louder ovation as Mahomes returned to the game. In the Chiefs huddle, running back Kareem Hunt had a simple thought.

“We have to run the ball,” Hunt said. Of Mahomes' injury, he added: “I was just hoping it wasn't that bad.”

What came next was the Chiefs' most impressive performance this season, given their circumstances.

Mahomes and Hunt orchestrated a methodical 15-play drive in which the offense paused for more than eight minutes, did not call a penalty and scored a touchdown to take a 24-17 lead. Mahomes continued his excellence on third down, finding tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Justin Watson to continue the Chiefs' push. Hunt gained a lot of yards between tackles and converted a snap from four inches away near midfield.

“It's my attitude and my love for the game,” Hunt said of his performance as he finished the game with 27 carries and a season-high 106 yards. “Even when I was laying on the couch (in early September), I didn't know when I would get a call – or if I would get a call – but I stayed positive and kept training. I was just waiting for an opportunity to show the world what I could do. I was kind of hungry for the ball.”

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With the Chiefs facing third-and-goal from the Buccaneers' 5-yard line, Mahomes found wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a one-on-one for an easy touchdown. Hopkins caught the ball after executing a sharp slant against cornerback Josh Hayes. Hopkins had an outstanding performance in his first home game as a Chief after being traded from the Tennessee Titans on October 23rd. He finished the game with eight receptions on nine targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s so good at winning one-on-one,” Mahomes said of Hopkins. “To have him down in the red zone and in third-down situations, he does a good job of finding those windows, similar to what Travis does. If he can figure out the whole offense, he’s going to get even better.”

In the final minute of regulation time, quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers (4-5) to an impressive touchdown drive.

Without his top two receivers, Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (left ankle), Mayfield did almost everything coach Todd Bowles could have asked of him. Mayfield had no turnovers and was efficient on short and intermediate passes, with many of the completions going to tight ends and running backs. The only problem for the Buccaneers is that two decisions they made late in the game prevented them from beating the Chiefs in what would have been their best win of the season.

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With 27 seconds left in regulation, Bowles decided to keep his offense off the field for a potentially game-winning two-point conversion.

“I'm surprised,” Hunt said of Bowles' decision. “They gave us a chance but I guess it was whoever had the ball last. It could have gone either way.”

Before overtime began, Mayfield showed his frustration at midfield after he called tails and the coin landed on heads, giving the Chiefs the ball. Mayfield was never on the field again. He watched from the sideline as Mahomes hit the game-winning shot.

“Pat goes down, it’s raining and they know we’re going to play the ball,” Watson said. “We talk about it all the time: Let's run the ball when the other team knows we're running it.” It's cool to see that. It's cool to see Pat come back and challenge it for us. It was just a good team win.”

Mahomes was brilliant in overtime, completing all five of his passes.

The Chiefs' first play of overtime was a play-action pass to Hunt that gained 11 yards. Mahomes still showed good mobility, whether he was moving into the pocket to throw a short pass to Kelce or holding the ball on a run-pass option for a 2-yard gain. Hopkins won another one-on-one duel on the perimeter with a 15-yard reception.

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Despite the rain and his injury, Mahomes' accuracy never suffered. His pinpoint passes resulted in 291 yards and a season-high three touchdowns.

“I pride myself on being able to throw in any conditions,” Mahomes said. “That’s an advantage at Arrowhead. Whether it's raining, snowing, cold or hot, I want to be the best ball thrower on the field. That’s why we want home-field advantage and the playoffs to come through Arrowhead because it’s a special place and you have to be able to play in any environment.”

Hunt finished the game with a 2-yard touchdown run, carrying two defenders into the end zone. Mahomes celebrated by raising his arms to signal the touchdown before the referees confirmed the score.

Mahomes left the locker room without his hiking boots. Instead, he wore his black sneakers and walked away without a noticeable limp.

“He might have the loosest ankles in America,” Reid said of Mahomes. “It’s ridiculous how he can come back from these things – and then he’s mentally strong.”

(Photo: Jay Biggerstaff / Imagn Images)

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