NFL
Injured Mahomes leads Chiefs to AFC Championship game
Mahomes suffered a sprained ankle in the first half but came back out in the second to see the Chiefs to victory over the Jags.
Despite suffering a nasty ankle sprain in the first quarter Patrick Mahomes came back out for the second half to lead his side to victory 27-20 in the Chiefs Divisional Round match against the Jaguars.
Mahomes’ ankle bent noticeably in an awkward position under the weight of a Jags’ number 49 Arden Key as he was brought down as he offloaded to Kelce.
The chiefs QB initially played on, but was substituted by Chad Henne for the next Chiefs drive. The Chiefs then officially listed Mahomes as Questionable to return, but the quarterback was back under center for the start of the second half.
Mahomes had an x-ray while off the pitch, which came back negative, with the injury a high ankle sprain, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Mahomes got ankle strapped
Mahomes got straight up after receiving the injury and hopped over to the sideline for treatment during a 30 second timeout. He managed to play on, noticeably limping, through to the end of the 1st quarter, when he received strapping to the leg.
The Chiefs finished the drive with a field goal to take a 10-7 lead at that point in the match.
Mahomes left the field for further treatment
After the drive Mahomes was seen saying he “was good” to the Chiefs staff, but during the Jags’ following drive Mahomes went off the pitch for further treatment in the dressing room. Chad Henne took over QB duties on the next drive with Mahomes still in the dressing room. Henne was in charge for one drive, completing five out of seven passes for 23 yards in a 98-yard-drive that took them into the endzone.
When Mahomes went off he was visibly frustrated, throwing his jacket to the ground and arguing with Chiefs’ staff. He had notably thicker strapping on the ankle when he returned to the field.
After receiving treatment at half-time Mahomes came back out for the Chiefs’ first drive of the second half, and although he was limping he was even able to scramble for yards on some snaps. He stayed out for the entirety of the second half and led the Chiefs to a 27-20 win over the Jags.