Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes leaves game after big hit

During the fourth quarter of the Kansas City Chiefs 27-3 blowout loss against the Tennessee Titans, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes left the game. Slow to get up, he was helped off the field by several teammates and did not return.

On fourth-and-18 from the Titans 26-yard line, Mahomes dropped back to pass. He saw quick pressure around the edge, forcing a scrambling throw with a defender on his ankle. Leaning into the throw, Mahomes took another high shot, forcing the ball backwards as he crumbled to the ground.

Is Patrick Mahomes dead? The Chiefs OL killed him today. This looks BAD pic.twitter.com/DzP6XaUJYh

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) October 24, 2021

The star quarterback remained on the ground until the end of the play, waiting for his teammates to lift him up. The slow recovery led the Chiefs to pull their franchise quarterback in favor of backup Chad Henne.

Before Patrick Mahomes left the game, he had just 206 passing yards with one interception. He added six carries for 35 yards but failed to score a touchdown for the first time since Sept. 29, 2019 against the Detroit Lions.

Update on Patrick Mahomes

During his postgame press conference, head coach Andy Reid provided the latest on Patrick Mahomes. The star quarterback cleared concussion protocol but was removed from Sunday’s game by Reid, according to ESPN’s Adam Teicher.

Already down multiple score, the lifeless offense showed no signs of a comeback, likely making Reid’s decision simple. He inserted Chad Henne for the final minutes while Mahomes regrouped with the first-team offense.

Henne finished the game 11-for-16 with 82 passing yards, adding one carry of four yards.

Chiefs struggling in 2021

The Kansas City Chiefs have established themselves among the NFL’s elite over the past several seasons. The duo of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes has provided an advantage each week since the two combined forces. However, 2021 looks a bit different.

Despite a struggling defense, the past Chiefs teams were able to lean on offense. Now it appears both are stymied, looking for answers quickly with a sub-.500 3-4 record. Unlike past seasons, the Chiefs are unable to get the ball into the hands of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill down the field.

The Chiefs revamped offensive line, which replaced nearly all production from 2020, continues to struggle with chemistry. Mahomes was sacked four times against Tennessee and turned the ball over twice. He now has at least one turnover in each of the last six games.

The Chiefs now prepare for a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants on Nov. 1.