Chiefs consult baseball doctors on Patrick Mahomes' elbow, ESPN reports

The Kansas City Chiefs sought opinions from Royals and Texas Rangers doctors on Patrick Mahomes' injured throwing elbow before Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, which he was expected to start, ESPN reported, citing sources.

The doctors found a muscle strain and a very small ulnar collateral ligament sprain, or UCL sprain, as one source described it. Despite Mahomes' soreness and treatment throughout the week, all the doctors considered it safe for him to play again, the sources said.

Kansas City sought baseball specialists because it believed the sport deals with more elbow injuries than football and wanted top doctors examining its $500 million quarterback's scans, the report said. The team had worried about possible damage until it received every doctor's assessment, according to the report.

Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs' vice president of sports medicine and performance, reached out to Dr. Vincent Key soon after Kansas City beat the New York Jets 35-12 on Nov. 8. Key, the Royals' head team physician, specializes in Tommy John surgery and newer UCL repair techniques. A source said Key reviewed the scans and felt the Chiefs and Mahomes "got away with one."

Key advised getting another doctor's opinion. Dr. Keith Meister, the Rangers' team physician and an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in elbow and shoulder injuries, was contacted that Sunday night and shared a similar assessment. The doctors agreed the injury was more of a muscle strain and could have been worse, the sources said.

Sources: Chiefs had renowned baseball doctors with the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers weigh in on Patrick Mahomes’ elbow injury before allowing him to play today in Atlanta.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2026

Mahomes hurt his throwing arm late in the first half when a Jets defender struck it during a pass. He was seen holding his arm as he went to the sideline. The victory ended Kansas City's two-game losing streak.

After the injury, Mahomes completed 23 of 31 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Kenneth Walker III caught both touchdown passes and ran for 102 yards and another score. Mahomes said after the game that more testing was planned.

The previous week, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew tore his UCL on a similar-looking play and was expected to have season-ending surgery, ESPN said, citing sources. Minshew plans to have the operation but is still working on its timing, the sources said.

Mahomes took every throw in practice this week. He practiced without limits Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, though the Chiefs listed knee and right elbow injuries on their report, and received no game designation for Atlanta.

Why he was listed with a knee injury was not immediately known.

The two-time NFL MVP has recovered from a major injury before. Mahomes, 31, returned to start Week 1 this season after tearing his ACL in December 2025, the New York Post reported. His father, Pat Mahomes, played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, according to the Post.

The 6-2 Chiefs meet the 3-6 Falcons on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kansas City has ruled out Walker with a groin injury and offensive tackle Jaylon Moore with an ankle injury.

The Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts during the week. Downs had 33 catches for 354 yards and one touchdown this season.