The Kansas City Chiefs secured an easy victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, but the main storyline was Patrick Mahomes’ early exit after sustaining another ankle injury.
Shortly after the game, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Mahomes is considered “week-to-week,” according to sources. Rapoport also noted that X-rays came back “negative,” but further tests are expected to provide more clarity on Monday, December 16, regarding the severity of the injury.
Later on December 15, NFL insider Albert Breer shared that the “belief is that Patrick Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain,” though the extent of the injury remains uncertain.
Despite these reports, both head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes downplayed the injury during their postgame press conferences.
“He probably could have gone back in,” Reid explained. “He wanted to fight about it, but we’ve got good support there behind him with Carson.”
Similarly, Mahomes stated that he believed he “could have finished the game in different circumstances.” However, he agreed that having Wentz close out the game was the “smart decision.”
“I was trying to run up in the pocket — obviously fourth down, trying to make a play happen,” Mahomes recounted. “And as I threw the ball, I kind of got hit. I haven’t seen it, but I felt like someone hit me from behind as well. So, I just kind of got rolled up on — this kind of stuff happens in football.”
Mahomes added that his ankle “hurt a little bit” when he first got up, but he’s already focused on rehab. His plan is to “get after the rehab part of it and try to be ready for next week.”
It’s encouraging that both Reid and Mahomes agreed the quarterback could have returned to the game if necessary.
Mahomes on His Recovery Plan: ‘Every Injury Is Different’
Known for his durability, Mahomes has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest quarterbacks, thanks in part to his dedication to flexibility and recovery.
“They’re all different, every injury is different,” Mahomes noted after the game. “You know what you have to do to get back, and I think that’s the important thing. 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.”
While Rapoport described Mahomes as “week-to-week,” Reid used the phrase “day-to-day” in his press conference, which suggests a shorter timeline. Reid also confirmed that Mahomes’ ankle is not broken and said swelling will play a key role in determining his availability for Week 16 against the Houston Texans.
Reid: ‘No Need’ to Risk Mahomes vs. Browns
At the time of Mahomes’ injury, the Chiefs were leading 21-7 with under eight minutes left. Reid reiterated after the game that there was no need to put his star quarterback back on the field.
“He wanted to go back in,” Reid said again. “Listen, he’s a tough kid, and there was no need for that.”
Mahomes finished with 159 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 78.7 before his exit.
“I thought the defense was playing really well,” Mahomes said on December 15. “I wanted to go back out there, and I probably would have fought a little harder if [the Browns] had made it a one-score game, but I have a lot of trust in Carson [Wentz] too.
“He’s played a lot of football and he’s won football games. Put him out there, and I thought he did a great job of moving the football, running time off the clock, and putting us in position to win the football game.”
