Kansas City – After a hard‑hit by New York Jets defensive end David Bailey late in the second quarter, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stayed in the game and helped Kansas City secure a 35‑12 victory. Though the elbow contact left Mahomes uncomfortable, the star quarterback emphasized his determination to be ready for the upcoming week.
Mahomes’ Immediate Reaction
“It scares you in moments when you get some pains in certain areas of your body,” Mahomes said in the post‑game interview. “I was able to kind of get it worked on a little bit, especially at halftime, and then was able to go out there and play the rest of the game.”
The quarterback, who missed the final three games of last season after tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee, admitted the elbow knock added to his lingering concerns about his body’s durability. “Anytime it’s elbows and knees, it’s always scary, just because you just don’t know,” he added.
Medical Evaluation and Next Steps
Chiefs medical staff performed an initial sideline assessment and did not find evidence of ligament damage. Nonetheless, Mahomes said he will undergo imaging to confirm the elbow’s condition. “I haven’t got that yet, so we’re going to do some testing when I’m done with this media stuff,” he explained.
Coach Andy Reid is expected to provide a formal update at his press conference on Monday. Mahomes expressed confidence in his recovery plan, noting that the adrenaline of the win helped mask the discomfort. “I feel good now. I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow, but we’ll get right to it and get ourselves ready to go,” he said.
Team Support and Confidence
Teammates rallied around the quarterback, with right guard Trey Smith emphasizing the importance of protecting their most valuable player. “It doesn’t feel good, it doesn’t feel great, and we’ve got to put that on ourselves and do a better job protecting the greatest quarterback in the game,” Smith said.
Reid praised Mahomes’ toughness, noting the quarterback’s history of overcoming injuries. “He’s a tough kid. If there’s any way he can come back from something, he’s coming back,” Reid said.
Performance Highlights
Mahomes finished the game completing 23 of 31 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He noted that the elbow felt tighter in the second half, but he was able to regain his rhythm. “Out of the half, I wasn’t throwing the ball the way I wanted to, but as the game went on I kind of worked through it and warmed back up,” he explained.
Statistically, Mahomes was 10‑of‑14 for 108 yards with two touchdowns before the hit and 13‑of‑17 for 136 yards after it, showing his ability to adjust despite the discomfort.
Looking Ahead
Mahomes vowed to be ready when Kansas City (6‑2) travels to Atlanta next Sunday to face the Falcons (3‑6). “If I’m able to play, I’m going to play. That’s part of the game,” he said.
Teammate Kenneth Walker III echoed the sentiment, calling Mahomes an “inspiration for Kansas City’s whole organization.” The quarterback’s leadership, both on and off the field, continues to set a standard for the team.
With the Chiefs’ offense firing on all cylinders and Mahomes showing resilience, fans can expect a competitive showdown in Atlanta as the team aims to maintain its strong start to the season.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
