Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes replaced by Carson Wentz after ankle injury in win over Browns

On By Littum

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a right ankle injury.

Mahomes suffered the injury in the fourth quarter. He hobbled off the field and was replaced late in the game by backup Carson Wentz. The The Chiefs listed Mahomes as questionable to return, but he did not as Kansas City secured a 21-7 victory.

Head coach Andy Reid said after the game that Mahomes did not suffer a fracture and that he expects Mahomes to be day-to-day. He did not offer a precise diagnosis of Mahomes’ injury.

“It’s not broken, that’s what I can tell you,” Reid said. “He’s literally going to be day-to-day as we go forward. I don’t know how much swelling he has or any of that.”

Mahomes took to the podium after the game and added that he wants a better gauge after sleeping on the injury.

“It’s hard to say right now” Mahomes said. “Obviously the adrenaline is still flowing. And usually it’s the next day that you get a good feeling about it. I feel like I could have finished the game under different circumstances.

“I thought the smart decision we talked about was putting Carson in,” Mahomes said. “He has played a lot of football games and he finished the game well.”

Mahomes suffered the injury on a combined hit by Ogbo Okoronkwo and Mike Hall Jr. His legs were pinned under Okoronkwo’s body as Hall hit him high.

Mahomes limped off the field after the incomplete fourth-down pass on the play. Wentz returned to lead the charge on Kansas City’s next possession. Mahomes remained on the Kansas City sideline as the game ended.

The injury is a major concern in Kansas City as the Chiefs approach the playoffs in their quest for a consecutive Super Bowl victory. Mahomes is a two-time NFL MVP, three-time Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowler.

Kansas City has already clinched a playoff spot, but is looking to maintain the No. 1 seed in the AFC that comes with a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The Chiefs also have a tight window of upcoming games around the NFL’s Christmas schedule.

Kansas City will host the Houston Texans on Saturday, then turn around for a Christmas Day game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the following Wednesday, making it three games in 11 days including Sunday’s game against the Browns.

The good news for the Chiefs is that they have a cushion for the AFC’s top seed. They improved to 13-1 with Sunday’s win and maintain a multi-game lead in the AFC over the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, who were tied for the second-best record in the conference at the time at 10-3.

Mahomes finished Sunday’s game completing 19 of 38 passes for 159 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. Wentz is a former pick and starts in the first round for the Eagles, Colts and Commanders. He has seen limited NFL action since losing his starting job in Washington in 2022 and transitioned to a backup role with the Rams in 2023 and the Chiefs this season.