Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated right kneecap on Thursday night in Denver and is expected to miss next Sunday’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Even the best-case scenario for Mahomes will keep him out at least the next three weeks. The Packers arrive in Kansas City to play the Chiefs in 10 days.
Mahomes suffered the injury while sneaking for a first down on fourth down in the second quarter. He got off the field and walked to the locker room under his own power but was quickly ruled out of the remainder of the game.
Additional testing Friday will reveal if Mahomes will be able to return this season.
Despite losing Mahomes in the first half, the Chiefs went on to beat the Broncos by a 30-6 final score, improving to 5-2. Backup quarterback Matt Moore completed 10 of 19 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. He hit Tyreek Hill for a 57-yard touchdown pass in the second half, extending the Chiefs’ lead to 27-6.
Moore, now 35, has played in 50 career games and made 30 starts. He’s thrown 45 touchdown passes and 36 interceptions, with a career passer rating of 81.1. Moore’s teams are 15-15 when he starts.
Mahomes, the reigning league MVP, threw 14 touchdown passes in the first six games of 2019 and was on pace for over 5,600 passing yards. He tossed 50 touchdown passes during his first full season as a starter in 2018.
The unfortunate injury will eliminate the possibility of a can’t-miss quarterbacking battle between Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers in primetime, but Mahomes’ absence should make the Packers a road favorite in Kansas City, especially if Green Bay – now 5-1 under first-year coach Matt LaFleur – can take care of business on Sunday afternoon against the Oakland Raiders.
