Patrick Mahomes Faces Christmas Gridiron Gauntlet: Will His Ankle Injury Sideline the MVP?
As the Kansas City Chiefs head into the final stretch of the regular season, all eyes are on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Despite leading the Chiefs to a 13-1 record, Mahomes is now facing an obstacle that could jeopardize his MVP aspirations: an ankle injury. The timing couldn’t be worse, with high-stakes games looming just ahead, including a showdown with the Houston Texans and a quick turnaround for a Christmas Day game in Pittsburgh.
Mahomes sustained what appeared to be a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Although he was listed as a full participant in Tuesday’s practice, the 2018 MVP remains uncertain about his status for Saturday’s crucial game against the Texans.
“I want to be able to move. I want to be able to get out of the way,” Mahomes said, referencing the Texans’ dangerous pass rush, which ranks second in the NFL with 45 sacks. Mahomes knows all too well how important mobility is in his game, especially with such a formidable defense coming at him.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his injury, Mahomes is determined to play if he can still execute the offense effectively. “I don’t want to limit the game plan,” Mahomes explained. “I want to still be able to move around the pocket so we’re not just sitting in one spot the whole entire game and leading the D-line to get after it.” For Mahomes, it’s all about finding the right balance—protecting himself while still being able to run the Chiefs’ high-powered offense.
If Mahomes is unable to go, backup quarterback Carson Wentz would step in. Wentz, a former Philadelphia Eagle, last started a game for the LA Rams in Week 18 of the previous season, leading the team to a narrow victory over the San Francisco 49ers. However, the Chiefs would much rather have their MVP under center, especially with the team’s top seed in the AFC hanging in the balance. With a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City needs just one more win to lock up the coveted top spot, which comes with a first-round bye. The Chiefs’ final three games against the Texans, Steelers, and Broncos will be a tough test, with two of those teams boasting some of the league’s best defenses.
The short week doesn’t help Mahomes’ recovery. With only six days to prepare for the Texans after suffering the injury, and just three nights off before a Christmas Day game in Pittsburgh, Mahomes is feeling the weight of the schedule. “It’s not a good feeling,” Mahomes admitted last week. “You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body. But at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it.”
This grueling holiday schedule has been a challenge for Mahomes, who has never played three games in such a short span in his football career. “All you can do is focus on the game,” he said. “The practice you have that day.” He credits his year-round preparation and the Chiefs’ coaching staff for helping him stay ready for moments like this, despite the physical toll.
Beyond the field, Mahomes is also dealing with personal pressure as his wife, Brittany, enters the third trimester of her pregnancy. With the couple expecting their second child soon, Mahomes is navigating the demands of both football and family life during this critical stretch. Brittany’s trainer, Kristy Rae, recently shared on Instagram that the third trimester is when the body supposedly goes into “superhuman mode” in preparation for childbirth, a sentiment that may offer some encouragement for Mahomes as he pushes through this challenging time.
For Mahomes, the next few weeks will test his resilience, both physically and mentally. With a championship on the line and the weight of family obligations, the MVP’s ability to perform at his best will be key to the Chiefs’ success as they look to close out the season on top. Fans will be watching closely to see whether Mahomes’ ankle injury will sideline him—or whether he’ll power through the pain and continue to lead his team to victory in the quest for a second Super Bowl title.
