Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury.
Mahomes suffered the injury in the fourth quarter as Kansas City held a 21-7 lead. He limped off the field and was replaced late in the game by backup Carson Wentz. The Chiefs listed him as questionable to return, but he did not as Kansas City secured a 21-7 win.
Mahomes sustained the the injury on a combined hit by Ogbo Okoronkwo and Mike Hall Jr. His legs got pinned underneath 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 offense on Kansas City’s next possession. Mahomes remained on the Kansas City sideline as the game concluded.
The injury is of obvious significant concern in Kansas City as the Chiefs approach the playoffs in their quest for a third-straight Super Bowl win. 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 seeking to maintain the No. 1 seed in the AFC that comes with a first-round by and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They’ve also got 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, adding up to 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 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 with 10-3 records.