Bionic Patrick Mahomes believes he could have avoided a serious ankle injury.
Mahomes fell awkwardly while flipping a touchdown pass to running back Samaje Perine during the Chiefs' 30-24 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
He spoke to reporters Wednesday about his feelings at the time.
“It’s definitely scary,” Mahomes said. As covered by ESPN. “It was the same ankle I twisted last week, so I think it hurt more, so it was a little scary.
“When you don't know exactly what's going to happen and you feel sharp pain, you always fear the worst.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid initially told Mahomes he should leave the game.
Mahomes said he thought Reid was “joking,” but Reid ultimately relented when Mahomes was able to pass a mobility test on the sideline.
Mahomes previously suffered a high ankle sprain during the 2022-23 playoffs, but is expected to play in the Chiefs' game against the Broncos on Sunday.
“I was obviously running towards the goal line and kind of committed to playing football and in the last minute [passed to] Samaje, so I awkwardly rolled my ankle a little bit,” Mahomes said. “You feel the pain, and it scares you. I've had my ankle treated before, but I just lay down and the pain subsides over time.
“I somehow regained my strength and started moving again, so I was able to go out feeling good.”
“A game in the playoffs a few years ago was a little bit of an example of how I got tackled,” he continued. “I got caught and it hurt even more. [This time] I was able to move and my ankle was still able to move and still will be after this game. It might be a little swollen tomorrow. But it's a short week so you can go in there and take care of it and get ready to play next week. ”
