A second-quarter Patrick Mahomes’ injury scare nearly shook the nation Sunday afternoon. The Kansas City Chiefs blew out the New York Jets 35-12, snapping a two-game losing streak and improving to 6-2. What looked like a normal strip sack by David Bailey turned into a right elbow injury for the legendary quarterback. After the entirety of the Chiefs fanbase held their breath, Mahomes did not miss a snap.
Sunday afternoon, it was confirmed that there was no major injury. His status is still up in the air for Week Ten, as an injury to the throwing arm could still loom over him. Even though they won by 23 points, this game highlighted what we already knew: He needs help.
How Concerning Is Patrick Mahomes’ Injury?
The play in question was a ten-yard sack by Bailey, who pushed against Mahomes’ throwing arm. He looked to be in severe pain and was holding his arm as if he could not feel it. Although he ended up returning to the game, is there any concern going forward with it being an injury to his throwing arm?
Mahomes has always been stellar at returning from injury. In 2019, he dislocated his knee, missed two games, and went on to win the Super Bowl. In 2022, he suffered a high ankle sprain, missed only one drive, and went on to win the Super Bowl on one leg. In 2025, he tore two ligaments in his knee and returned by Week One the following season, far sooner than most players return from such an injury.
Overall, his pedigree suggests that this injury shouldn’t affect him too much. Although it was a shot to his throwing arm, Mahomes managed to throw the ball well in the second half, leading the team to score 21 unanswered points. The most concerning part about the injury is that the offensive line let multiple hits like that happen against a rookie player. Most Kansas City fans are complaining about the receivers and the special teams, but the offensive line looks to be a major issue as well.
O-Line Woes
Tackles Kahlil Benson and Jaylon Moore had rough games, and both contributed to Mahomes’ injury scare. The offensive line allowed two sacks and eight QB hits, three of which were from rookie David Bailey. Benson is an undrafted rookie filling in for Josh Simmons, so it is hard to blame him for poor play. Moore was expected to be serviceable at right tackle, yet did not perform well on Sunday.
Simmons has been a touchy subject for the Chiefs so far this season, missing multiple games with a back injury to start the season, and then getting kicked out of a team meeting and placed on IR shortly after. Simmons was a first-round pick with immense talent, yet has only started eight games for the team since the start of 2025.
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Kansas City should think about trading for both a receiver and a tackle. Trading for a tackle is a lot harder than trading for a receiver, but Mahomes can’t be expected to last a whole season behind two inexperienced and underperforming tackles. The Chiefs either need to ensure that Simmons plays at some point this season or make a trade for somebody they know can play.
Kansas City desperately wants Simmons to be the franchise left tackle, and right now, they need him more than ever. If he is returning, the earliest he will be available is Week 11. If he isn’t ready to play by then, there may be a more serious problem at hand.
End Of Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Rant
It was almost a scary day in Chiefs Kingdom, but strong performances by Mahomes and Kenneth Walker helped them come out on top. Kansas City looks towards the Atlanta Falcons in Week Ten, as they try to keep pace with the Denver Broncos for the division. The bigger story, however, is which receiver will be wearing red by Tuesday.
