Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left Thursday night’s Chiefs-Broncos game in Denver with a knee injury suffered on a quarterback sneak in the second quarter, and was replaced by veteran quarterback Matt Moore.
The Chiefs’ training staff popped Mahomes’ knee back into place on the field, before he walked off under his own power to the locker room (a cart was present, but Mahomes chose to walk). According to Fox’s Erin Andrews, Mahomes was in the X-ray room for under two minutes before being ruled out for the game.
The knee being popped into place made it pretty clear that Mahomes is dealing with a dislocated kneecap, and the injury is expected to keep him out several weeks. It could even be season-ending if surgery is required, and an MRI will determine more there.
Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes out for the night….and how much longer.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 18, 2019
Yes, kneecap dislocation for Mahomes.
No report on XR findings yet. And MRI likely to come. Bracing possible, surgery possible, depending on imaging findings.
Not a large number of comps for players returning from kneecap dislocations. Matthew Stafford missed 4 weeks in 2009. https://t.co/Pykb123Xk6
— Jene Bramel (@JeneBramel) October 18, 2019
By video, patella dislocstion for Mahomes. Significant injury that typically needs surgery. See details at https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 18, 2019
Patrick Mahomes with patella (knee cap) dislocation. Can be treated without surgery and brace. Could miss just a few weeks. Could also have season ending surgery. MRI will determine which course.
— Dr. Mark Adickes (@jocktodoc) October 18, 2019
Mahomes was already dealing with an ankle injury that was preventing him from playing at his 2018 NFL MVP level, but this knee injury makes things much, much worse- especially because he can’t play through it, of course.
The Chiefs are up 20-6 at halftime, and brought a 4-2 record into the game. So, if they can hold this lead, they will be 5-2 and may be able to survive Mahomes missing some time (especially if it’s only a few weeks). But they certainly need Mahomes back and playing near the top of his game eventually to make a Super Bowl run.
