Patrick Mahomes plays through right elbow injury in Chiefs' 35-12 win over Jets

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes played through a right elbow injury in Sunday’s 35-12 win over the New York Jets, and a postgame MRI found no major injury, sources told Ian Rapoport.

Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey, the team’s first-round draft pick, struck Mahomes’ right arm as he attempted a pass just after the two-minute warning in the second quarter. The hit bent Mahomes’ elbow backward, and the Jets recovered his fumble.

Mahomes grimaced while on the ground before walking off with his right arm hanging at his side. He flexed the elbow and made a couple of warmup throws on the sideline before returning.

The Jets missed a field goal on their ensuing possession, and Mahomes came back without missing an offensive snap until late-game garbage time.

Here is the video of Mahomes’ injury.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2026

"I didn't even ice [my arm] when I used to pitch [in high school]. That probably wasn't good for me. I've never had any elbow issues. Hopefully we can stay away from those," Mahomes said.

Rapoport wrote on X that Mahomes had an elbow strain/sprain and would be monitored for pain and swelling over the next few days. Coach Andy Reid described the injury as being in the elbow region.

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes underwent an MRI following today’s win and sources say the tests did not reveal a major injury.

Mahomes’ elbow strain/sprain will be monitored over the next few days for pain and swelling. But so far, so good. Mahomes did go back in the game.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2026

Mahomes said his ability to throw convinced him the injury was muscular rather than a ligament issue. He said his throws fell short of what he wanted after halftime, although they improved as his arm warmed up.

"That will be important this week, getting that swelling and the fluid out of it, so I can be ready to go from the first snap next week," he said.

Mahomes said injuries to the elbow and knee are always scary, remembering that he believed his knee was fine last year because he could walk off the field. He tore his ACL less than a year ago at the same Arrowhead Stadium field and had surgery in December to repair the ACL and LCL in his left knee.

Julie Frymyer, one of the Chiefs’ top assistant athletic trainers, played a major role in his offseason rehabilitation, and Reid said she helped loosen his right arm at halftime Sunday.

Reid said his immediate thought when Mahomes went down was to prepare backup Justin Fields.

Kansas City led 14-12 at halftime, with Mahomes having thrown for 120 yards, according to Agence France-Presse.

Reid changed the second-half game plan to help Mahomes, whose third-quarter completions were mostly short throws, ESPN reported. Mahomes averaged 2.8 air yards per attempt, his second-fewest in a career game, according to Next Gen Stats.

The Chiefs’ opening drive of the third quarter ended with Mahomes pushing the ball backward with both hands to tight end Travis Kelce, who ran 1 yard for a fourth-down touchdown. The Chiefs scored 21 points in the quarter.

"When you have a quarterback that's tough, it affects everybody," Reid said.

Mahomes finished 23 of 31 for 242 yards. Before the injury, he threw both touchdown passes to running back Kenneth Walker III, who said he was glad Mahomes finished the game.

"I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow, but we'll get right to it," Mahomes said.

The win took the Chiefs to 6-2, Agence France-Presse reported, before their Week 10 game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Nov. 15.