Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a potentially significant injury to his right leg during the first quarter of Saturday’s playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Mahomes was in obvious discomfort after his leg got caught under Jaguars defensive lineman Arden Key as he threw a pass. Mahomes’ leg twisted beneath him, and he was unable to put much weight on it as he returned to the huddle.
Initially, Mahomes refused to come out of the game, even though he was hobbling while executing a handoff on the next play. The quarterback managed to stay in the game until the end of the first quarter, when he was able to get the ankle taped up by the Chiefs’ training staff. After the drive ended, he could be seen adamantly telling coach Andy Reid that he was good to continue, but he was ultimately sent to the locker room for further evaluation and replaced by Chad Henne in the second quarter.
Mahomes’ injury did not seem to improve much, even after he got it taped. He clearly looked limited while trying to play through it as well.
Henne led the Chiefs to a 17-10 lead at halftime. When the second half began, Mahomes ran on the field and was under center for the Chiefs. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that X-rays on Mahomes' ankle were negative.
In the Chiefs' first drive of the third quarter, the Jags were able to stop Mahomes and the K.C. offense. Jacksonville will have a chance to capitalize on an obviously hobbled Mahomes.
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