KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Throughout the years, the Kansas City Chiefs have strategically made decisions with the potential injury of their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, in mind. This foresight has allowed the team to withstand such situations, particularly in recent seasons, when they have started to depend more on their defense rather than relying solely on Mahomes’ offensive brilliance.
To further bolster their team, the Chiefs signed veteran Carson Wentz, who boasts nearly 100 starts across nine NFL seasons. Wentz has now become the primary backup to Mahomes, providing the Chiefs with experienced depth at the quarterback position. This proved crucial on Sunday when Mahomes sustained an injury during a fourth down play late in a 21-7 win against the Browns. After being tackled by Dalvin Tomlinson, Mahomes limped off the field, and Wentz took over for the remainder of the game. Even so, Mahomes expressed that he would have preferred to continue playing had the game score been closer.
On Monday, medical tests confirmed that Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain. A source close to the situation, who asked to remain anonymous as the information had not been publicly shared, provided this detail. The pressing question now is whether Mahomes, who has previously dealt with ankle injuries, can recover sufficiently before the Chiefs’ next game against the Texans on Saturday, followed by another quick turnaround for a matchup in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.
Following the game, Mahomes emphasized the importance of focusing on rehabilitation and treatment to prepare for the upcoming contests. The Chiefs currently hold a two-game lead over Buffalo for the top seed in the AFC playoffs, although the Bills hold the tiebreaker advantage. With playoff implications at stake, the Chiefs might opt to be cautious with Mahomes’ recovery to prioritize his long-term health, especially as they pursue a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
In light of the defense’s recent performances, making such cautious decisions may seem less challenging. The Chiefs faced a 4-turnover deficit upon arriving in Cleveland, but they flipped the script, finishing the game with a plus-2 turnover margin due to four interceptions and two fumble recoveries that provided the offense with advantageous field positions.
Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid noted the team’s emphasis on improving their turnover margin, echoing head coach Andy Reid’s sentiments on the need for change: “They come in bunches, and it’s coming at a good time.”
However, there were areas that still required attention. In a bid to improve protection for Mahomes’ blind side, the coaching staff shifted left guard Joe Thuney to tackle and brought in Mike Caliendo. While this adjustment appeared effective in the first half by giving Mahomes more time to throw, the Browns managed to increase pressure on the quarterback in the second half, highlighting ongoing protection challenges.
On a positive note, cornerback Trent McDuffie’s impressive play continued to shine; he finally recorded his first interception in 48 games, along with three pass deflections and a tackle for loss. He expressed excitement about finally securing an interception: “Once I get that, it will be with me all day, and I will be sleeping with it tonight.”
Conversely, Joshua Williams faced difficulties in place of the injured Jaylen Watson, struggling against receiver Jerry Jeudy and accruing penalties for illegal contact and facemask calls.
In addition to Mahomes’ injury, defensive back Chamarri Conner left the game with a concussion. Following this match, the Chiefs are one win away from tying their franchise record set in 2020 and matched two years later. The team will next face the Texans in their regular-season home finale, where they hope to secure that critical victory.
