The week 9 game between the Chiefs and the Buccaneers turned into a hard-fought battle. An overtime win for the former has taken their season record to 8-0 as they rallied from seven points down in the fourth quarter. But the victory wasn’t without cost. Four of Chiefs players were injured during the game, including star QB, Patrick Mahomes. Following the game, HC Andy Reid updated about the status of his players.

The Chiefs led 10-7 at halftime as the rain pelted down at Arrowhead Stadium. But in the third quarter, a depleted Bucs team launched a stirring fightback to go 10 without reply to lead 17-10 heading into the final quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Mahomes threw a stunning pass to running back Samaje Perine to tie the game. But the moment of ecstasy soon turned into worry for the Chiefs as Mahomes went down clutching his left ankle.

He had to be taken off the field before making a timely return to the game and helped his side to their eighth win in a row. Meanwhile, earlier in the game, WR Mecole Hardman suffered what looked like a serious injury when he landed hard on his shoulder after a long punt return in the first quarter. Even though he also returned to the game in the second quarter, he admitted to being in some pain. But the Chiefs’ injury woes didn’t end here.

DE George Karlaftis suffered a hip injury and DT Tershawn Wharton injured his knee during the game. Talking about the injuries after the game, Andy Reid said, “As far as the injuries go, Mecole Hardman hurt his shoulder, he was able to come back in. Likewise with Pat (Mahomes), he hurt his ankle and was able to continue to play. George (Karlaftis) hurt his hip area, and then he also came back and played there until that last series, and then (Tershawn) Wharton tweaked his right knee. So I think all in all, we came out relatively healthy.”

This update while reassuring, will still have Chiefs fans worried especially when it comes to Hardman and Mahomes. The Chiefs are already without Marquise Brown, who hurt his shoulder in the preseason and could miss the year following surgery. Fellow receiver Rashee Rice also underwent season-ending surgery on his knee and JuJu Smith-Schuster has been dealing with a hamstring injury.

As such Hardman’s fitness becomes all the more important. He returned to the field in the second quarter and caught a pass to convert a third down as the Chiefs were trying to tie the game in the fourth. After the game, he revealed that he was a little sore, which will put Andy Reid on alert.

Meanwhile, Mahomes also came out after the game to share more details about his injury and whether he would be available for the game against the Broncos on Sunday.

Mahomes said he feared the worst after going down in the fourth quarter

With the Bucs playing with their tails up, the Chiefs needed their talisman to pull them out of trouble. But after Mahomes had to be helped to his feet after injuring his left ankle, the Chiefs fans feared the worst.

However, Mahomes was able to return to the field and throw another touchdown pass to put the Chiefs ahead. Then in OT, Mahomes led a 10-play drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run to hand the Chiefs a 30-24 victory. Mahomes talked about his injury after the game.

“Definitely scary. I think it hurt more just because it’s the same ankle I rolled last week, so it scared me a little bit,” he said. Reid told Mahomes that he was pulling him from the game before it emerged that the injury wasn’t as serious as the one the QB suffered in the 2022 postseason.

Sharing an update about his availability for the upcoming game, Mahomes said, “Obviously have a little swelling (Tuesday). But on a short week, you go in there and take care of it and be prepared to play next week.” Though Mahomes expects to feature against the Broncos, it remains to be seen whether Andy Reid will risk his most prized asset at this stage of the season.

The Chiefs are eyeing a 3-peat and as such Mahomes’s long-term fitness becomes crucial. They have found a way to win matches, without being at their best. But how long they can do it with Mahomes is questionable. Even though, Reid said they came out of the game relatively healthy, the Chiefs fans will have to wait till Sunday to find out if there are lingering issues.

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