Patrick Mahomes injury: Updates, return date, what to know about Chiefs QB

Patrick Mahomes has helped guide the Kansas City Chiefs to an NFL-best 13-1 record to start the 2024 season and has them tracking to emerge as the AFC's No. 1 seed.

However, the star quarterback is now facing questions about his health as he looks to guide Kansas City to an unprecedented three-peat.

Mahomes suffered an ankle injury late in the Chiefs' 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns. He didn't return to action in the 14-point victory, which sparked questions about whether he would have to miss time as Kansas City navigates a grueling schedule that features three games in 11 days.

Here's everything to know about Mahomes' injuries, including the latest updates on how long he might be sidelined.

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What happened to Patrick Mahomes?

Mahomes suffered an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs' win over the Browns. He tried to move around the pocket while attempting a pass on a fourth-and-3, but his protection collapsed in on him.

Mahomes was forced to throw a jump pass as a result of the pressure. He was tackled by Dalvin Tomlinson while doing so, and the 325-pound defensive tackle rolled up on him while bringing him down.

At the same time, Mahomes was hit from the front by defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. He bent back awkwardly as a result of the dual contact.

Mahomes was able to get up eventually but slowly hobbled to the sideline. He had his right ankle heavily taped on the bench and was ruled "questionable" to return. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz played the final five minutes of the game in his stead.

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Patrick Mahomes injury updates

Mahomes was listed as a full participant on Tuesday's practice report and a full participant at practice on Wednesday. That indicates he is tracking to be cleared for action despite the quick turnaround.

Mahomes told reporters his ankle injury wasn't as bad as the high-ankle sprain he suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2023 playoffs. He said his ankle had responded well to treatment ahead of Tuesday's practice.

"Obviously it's a short amount of time but I thought we had a good day yesterday and good work after the game as well," Mahomes said.

As a result, Mahomes is going to try to play on Saturday, less than a week after he suffered the injury.

"That's the reason you play this game," Mahomes said. "I'll get the work at practice and try to push it to see where I can get to."

That said, Mahomes isn't guaranteeing that he will suit up. He only wants to do so if he believes it will be the best option for the team.

"At the end of the day, I'm not going to put our team in a bad position," Mahomes said.

Though Mahomes is hoping to play, he also expressed confidence that backup quarterback Carson Wentz could effectively lead the team if he has to sit out.

"Carson will be ready to go as well," Mahomes said. "He prepares as good as anyone I've ever been around."

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provided more details about Mahomes' status before Chiefs practice on Tuesday. He said that the team was planning to test the quarterback in some drills and that if he can't go, Wentz would take the first-team reps.

That said, Reid reiterated that Mahomes was still "day-to-day" and that Tuesday's practice would give them a good baseline to see how he responds.

"Let's just what he does, how he does, feels," Reid told reporters. "He's always honest with me so he's gonna shoot me straight on it. I'll be able to see him. Today's a lighter day. Get him in there and move it around a little bit."

Reid also indicated that the Chiefs having three games in 11 days would not have an impact on his decision to start Mahomes on Saturday.

"If he can go, he'll go. If he can't, then he can't. Keep it simple," Reid said. "That's how we'll roll with it. I'll just take it day by day and see how he does."

Monday, Dec. 16

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Mahomes is dealing with a "mild high-ankle sprain." The Chiefs quarterback will carry a "week-to-week" designation that will put his Week 16 status "in doubt," but it doesn't appear that the quarterback suffered a major injury.

"He'll be fine long-term," a source told Rapoport.

Rapoport also reported earlier that X-rays on the quarterback's injury were negative.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Reid spoke about Mahomes' injury after the Chiefs win on Sunday. Reid classified his quarterback as "day-to-day" and said that Mahomes "probably could've gone back in" had the Chiefs not been leading.

"He wanted to go back in," Reid said. "There was no need for that."

Reid acknowledged that the team would have to wait and see how Mahomes responds to treatment on his injured right ankle before deciding on his short- or long-term availability.

"It's not broken, but it's sore," Reid told reporters of Mahomes' ankle. "He'll get started on the rehab part of it as we go, and then we'll just have to see how he does."

Mahomes echoed a similar sentiment, saying, "it's hard to say right now" when asked how he was feeling.

"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," Mahomes told reporters. "I feel like I could have finished the game in different circumstances, but I thought the smart decision we talked about was to put Carson Wentz in. He's played a lot of football and he finished the game well."

Still, Mahomes said he would "get after the rehab" in his recovery and "try to be ready for next week."

"You know what you have to do to get back, and I think that's the most important thing," Mahomes said. "And 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."

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How long is Patrick Mahomes out?

Mahomes practiced in full on Tuesday. The Chiefs' practice was with no pads and no contact. Wednesday’s practice will be more telling for Mahomes' status for Week 16.

Mahomes' status for Week 16 is "in doubt," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, the quarterback's ankle injury isn't expected to be long-term.

So, while it isn't yet clear exactly how long Mahomes will be out due to his injury, he will have a chance to return quickly.

The Chiefs are navigating a stretch of three games in 11 days. With Kansas City sporting a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, it figures to approach Mahomes' availability cautiously.

Reid's "day-to-day" designation means that Mahomes' status should be monitored before the team's Week 16 Saturday game against the Houston Texans. However, if Rapoport's "week-to-week" diagnosis is more accurate, Mahomes will likely miss that contest; NFL players typically miss at least one game if given a "week-to-week" designation.

Still, little is known about Mahomes' status beyond those vague timetables. The Chiefs will likely provide a more concrete update in the coming days.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Mahomes injury updates: How long is Chiefs QB out?