Injury Update on Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gutted out a tough 27-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, briefly terrifying fans by exiting with an ankle injury. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Mahomes will undergo an MRI later today to measure the severity of the injury.

Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes will undergo an MRI on Sunday to gain further clarity on the ankle injury he suffered during Saturday‘a Divisional Playoff win over the Jaguars, per source. Initial X-rays on Mahomes’ ankle were negative.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2023

Mahomes missed the majority of the second quarter after Jaguars linebacker Arden Key landed awkwardly on his ankle. Backup quarterback Chad Henne entered for the following possession, leading the team on a 98-yard touchdown drive. Mahomes returned in the second half but was clearly hobbled. Initial X-rays were negative, but he is thought to be dealing with a high-ankle sprain.

That Mahomes was capable of returning on Saturday indicates he should start in the AFC Championship, but it remains to be seen how much he'll be hindered or affected. The Chiefs thoroughly controlled the Jaguars on Saturday, but they'll have a much narrower margin of error in the AFC Championship game. They'll face either the Buffalo Bills on a neutral field, who have defeated the Chiefs in two of their last three matchups, or the Cincinnati Bengals, who have beaten the Chiefs three straight times.