Patrick Mahomes avoided a major injury after an MRI on his right elbow showed no significant damage following the Kansas City Chiefs' 35-12 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The scan was reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and the Chiefs will monitor the elbow for pain and swelling over the next few days.

Mahomes hurt the elbow late in the second quarter when Jets edge rusher David Bailey hit his right arm on a strip-sack, with Will McDonald IV and Darrell Jackson Jr also making contact on the play. He left the field holding his arm, but flexed the elbow on the sideline, threw warm-up passes and returned for the Chiefs' next offensive series without missing a snap.

Mahomes played through the pain

The quarterback finished with 23 completions from 31 attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns, both scored before the injury. His longest pass of the second half was a 38-yard reception by Travis Kelce, and he averaged 2.8 air yards per attempt, the second fewest in a game in his career according to Next Gen Stats.

"If I'm able to play, I'm gonna play," Mahomes said after the game. He added that he felt good once the adrenaline was pumping, but expected to be sore and to work on swelling and fluid in the elbow during the week. Coach Andy Reid said assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer spent half-time helping Mahomes get his right arm loose.

Chiefs pull away after half-time

The Jets trailed only 14-12 at half-time, but Kansas City won the second half 21-0. Kenneth Walker III carried 18 times for 102 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

The win moved the Chiefs to 6-2. They next play on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy also suffered a hamstring strain against the Jets and has no confirmed return timetable. Mahomes had surgery in December to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, and Frymyer was involved in his rehabilitation from that injury. Mahomes said he had never had elbow trouble before, and that his throwing improved as the second half went on. "I thought I started throwing the ball better," he said. "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." ESPN and NBC Sports both reported the MRI result on 9 November 2026.