DENVER – Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes injured his right knee in a pileup near the goal line before his Kansas City teammates rallied around their fallen superstar for a 30-6 thrashing of Denver on Thursday night.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after the game that didn't know how serious the injury was, but added that, "We're good with whatever direction this thing goes."
Backup Matt Moore threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill and the Chiefs (5-2) had nine sacks, gave up a season-low 71 yards rushing and ended a two-game skid in beating the Broncos (2-5) for the eighth consecutive time.
His balky left ankle heavily taped, Mahomes completed 10 of 11 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown before getting injured on a successful sneak on fourth-and-inches at the Denver 5 early in the second quarter.
"Not too many people get hurt on a sneak," Reid said. "It's a freak thing."
One by one, players peeled off the pile but when Mahomes didn't get up, the stadium grew quiet. Broncos players knelt and some Kansas City players stormed away in anguish as their quarterback ripped off his helmet and covered his face.
As players milled about nervously, Chiefs medical personnel appeared to pop Mahomes' right knee back in place before he was helped from the field and taken into the locker room. The Chiefs announced minutes later that Mahomes had a knee injury and wouldn't return.
"Excited for the win," Moore said after completing 10 of 19 passes for 117 yards. "At the same time, [when] a guy like Patrick goes down, it can be deflating."
