The worst-case scenario could be setting in for the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes, playing through a high right ankle sprain suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round, had the same ankle twisted on a scramble during the second quarter of the Super Bowl. Here’s the latest on the MVP quarterback.
Update: Mahomes will start the second half for the Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes Injury Update
Mahomes was taken down on the scramble attempt by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards, who held onto Mahomes’ right ankle as he took down the Chiefs quarterback. Mahomes immediately began limping as he tried to walk back toward Kansas City’s sideline.
As Mahomes sat down and spoke with Chiefs staff members on the club’s bench, he was essentially writhing in pain. However, he soon began walking up and down Kansas City’s sideline without a noticeable limp.
If Mahomes is unable to return or aggravates his ankle injury again, the Chiefs would turn to backup Chad Henne, who was warming up on the sideline after Mahomes was initially hurt. Henne quarterbacked a scoring drive for Kansas City when Mahomes missed a drive against the Jaguars.
Losing Mahomes for any significant stretch of the Super Bowl would likely represent a death blow for the Chiefs, who are trailing at halftime. Mahomes won his second MVP award on Thursday night after leading the NFL in passing yards, touchdowns, and nearly every other quarterback metric.
Mahomes will have the chance to return after halftime. However, it’s worth noting that he’ll be forced to wait for an extended Super Bowl halftime — which normally runs double the length of a typical halftime — before coming back out. Mahomes will likely have to keep his ankle moving while in the locker room in order to stay loose for the second half.