The Chiefs kept their 2024 season rolling in Week 15 with a 21-7 win over the Browns. However, it came at the cost of Patrick Mahomes' health.
The Kansas City star quarterback was injured in the fourth quarter of the contest and did not return to the action. After being tackled awkwardly on a pass attempt, he was seen limping off the field with assistance from teammates and training staff.
Ankle injuries are nothing new when it comes to the three-time Super Bowl champion. Mahomes has dealt with sprains in the past, infamously playing through a hurt ankle in Super Bowl 57 when the Chiefs defeated the Eagles.
How does the injury impact Mahomes for the rest of the regular season? Here's what to know about the ailment and when he might return.
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What is Patrick Mahomes' injury?
With about eight minutes left to play in the fourth quarter of Week 15's win over Cleveland, Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense attempted to convert on a fourth-and-3. The QB threw a pass, but he was sandwiched by two Browns players on the throw.
Mahomes got off the field under his own power, but it was clear he was in pain. Not only was he slow to get up, but he could barely walk.
Patrick Mahomes limps off after getting tangled up on a failed 4th down pic.twitter.com/WnIgmsscfN
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 15, 2024
Mahomes left the game and did not return. He was seen walking around after the action, but he later exited the locker room on a cart.
Patrick Mahomes walked out of the locker room on his own, before leaving on a cart. pic.twitter.com/1NPp0bObiz
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) December 15, 2024
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after his postgame press conference that Mahomes' ankle is sore but not broken. Tests on Monday confirmed that, as he was diagnosed with a mild high-ankle sprain.
Sources: #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was diagnosed with a mild high-ankle sprain following tests, and he’s still considered week-to-week. Tests confirmed initial thoughts.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2024
The schedule is tough, with a Saturday game then a quick turnaround for Christmas. pic.twitter.com/WiMXjyDqqT
MORE: Complete timeline of Patrick Mahomes' injuries during NFL career
Mahomes spoke to the media on Tuesday and said that the ankle is responding "better quicker" than the high ankle sprain he dealt with in the 2023 playoffs.
How long is Patrick Mahomes out?
While the injury is not serious, Mahomes could potentially miss time to close the regular season. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that Kansas City considers Mahomes to be week-to-week with the ankle injury.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who left today’s game early with a right-ankle injury, is considered to be week-to-week, source say based on the preliminary diagnosis.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2024
X-Rays were negative. More tests and info coming on Monday. pic.twitter.com/OsSdEovaTR
Mahomes was non-committal on his status for Week 16 when asked about it after the game.
"It's hard to say right now,'' Mahomes said about his Week 16 status. "You still [have the] adrenaline rolling and usually it's kind of the day after when you kind of get a good sense of it."
With just three weeks left in the regular season, it's possible that Mahomes is shut down before the playoffs. The Chiefs already clinched a playoff spot, and in the past, the team typically has rested Mahomes in the season finale.
The club may be inclined to give Mahomes the added rest ahead of the playoffs, even if he is healthy enough to return in the coming weeks.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture after Week 15
Chiefs QB depth chart
| Position | Player |
| 1. | Patrick Mahomes |
| 2. | Carson Wentz |
| 3. | Chris Oladokun |
With Mahomes set to miss time, Carson Wentz will start under center in his absence. The veteran QB is in his first season with Kansas City, signing with the defending Super Bowl champions this offseason to back up Mahomes.
Chiefs remaining schedule
| Week | Opponent |
| 16 | vs. Texans |
| 17 | at Steelers |
| 18 | at Broncos |
Kansas City has already secured yet another AFC West title, winning the division for the ninth straight season. The only thing left to play for in the final three weeks is for seeding.
The Chiefs currently own the No. 1 seed in the conference and would have a bye to the divisional round.
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