The NFL held its collective breath last night after Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes banged up his knee following a 4th and 1 quarterback sneak in the second quarter of their game against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes would eventually stand and be able to walk off the field on his own power but was ruled out for the remainder of the game just minutes later.
Though it was found out after the game ended, a dominant 30-6 victory for the Chiefs, that Mahomes had suffered a dislocated kneecap, there were still questions about the ligament damage his knee had sustained, if any. Now, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the results from an MRI on Friday showed no significant ligament damage to Mahomes’ knee, adding that the quarterback is expected to return after a ‘brief’ absence.
The MRI has confirmed the #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap, but not significant additional damage, sources tell me and @JamesPalmerTV. He’ll seek additional opinions to be sure. The plan is for him to return this season after a brief absence.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2019
From NFL Now: The #Chiefs received some excellent news following QB Patrick Mahomes' MRI, as he'll return this season after a short time on the sidelines. pic.twitter.com/W2f6Lk4xHU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2019
According to KC Star’s Sam Mellinger, this type of injury is expected to sideline Mahomes somewhere between three to four weeks. The Chiefs’ bye week is just over a month away in Week 12.
Patrick Mahomes' recovery could be 3 to 4 weeks, according to a source who stressed the need for second opinions. Sounds everyone involved wants to be cautious.
— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) October 18, 2019
With a player as valuable as Patrick Mahomes, it may be in Kansa City’s best interest to rest him through the bye week. Veteran Matt Moore came in in relief of Mahomes last night, completing 10-19 passes for 117 yards. He also connected with the dynamic Tyreek Hill on a 57-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
It’s unlikely head coach Andy Reid signs a quarterback with Mahomes out, especially with the encouraging MRI results. Many feared Mahomes’ scary knee injury would be potentially season-ending but to hear that he can return within a month is a huge relief to the Chiefs and the NFL as a whole.
As one of the frontrunners for MVP again early this season, it’ll be hard for the Chiefs to maintain their level of play over the next four weeks. Their schedule isn’t forgiving either, as they match up with the Packers, Vikings, Titans and Chargers before their Week 12 bye. Expect Reid to limit what Matt Moore has to do on offense and perhaps rely more on his backfield tandem of LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams over the next few games.
