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

jason owens
Staff writer
·3-min read

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 limped off the field and was replaced late in the game by backup Carson Wentz. The Chiefs listed Mahomes as questionable to return, but he did not as Kansas City secured a 21-7 win.

Head coach Andy Reid said after the game that Mahomes did not sustain a fracture and that he projects that Mahomes will be day-to-day moving forward. He did not offer a precise diagnosis of Mahomes' injury.

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

Mahomes walked to the postgame podium and added that he'll have a better gauge after sleeping on the injury.

"It's hard to say right now," Mahomes said. "Obviously, there's still adrenaline rolling. And usually it's the day after you kind of get a good sense of it. I feel like I could have finished the game in different circumstances.

"I thought the smart decision we talked about was to put Carson in," Mahomes said. "He's played a lot of football games, and he finished the game well."

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 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 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, 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 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 first-round pick and starter for the Eagles, Colts and Commanders. He's seen limited NFL action since losing his starting job in Washington in 2022 and turning to a backup role with the Rams in 2023 and the Chiefs this season.