Patrick Mahomes Listed on Injury Report, But Expected to Play Crucial Week 15 Matchup vs. Chargers
Patrick Mahomes’ name showing up on the injury report is enough to make any Chiefs fan hold their breath. But heading into a pivotal Week 15 clash against the Chargers at Arrowhead, there’s some good news: Mahomes is expected to play.
The Chiefs’ star quarterback tweaked his knee late in last week’s home loss to the Texans, a game where nothing seemed to click for Kansas City offensively. Despite the injury scare, Mahomes was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice - a strong indicator that he’ll be under center when the Chiefs host Justin Herbert and the Bolts.
Now, let’s be clear: Mahomes didn’t look like himself in Week 14. He was under siege all afternoon behind an offensive line that struggled to keep Houston’s pass rush at bay.
The result? Just 160 passing yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 14-of-33 completion rate.
He was sacked twice for a loss of 12 yards. Mahomes did manage to scramble for 59 yards on seven carries, but the end zone remained elusive all day.
That kind of performance is rare for Mahomes, especially at home. But it also underscores just how important he is to this team’s playoff hopes.
The Chiefs are sitting at 6-7, 10th in the AFC standings with only four games left. The margin for error is gone.
And with the Broncos already locked in at 11 wins, the AFC West crown is officially out of reach.
So what’s left? A fight for a wild card spot - and it starts with a bit of redemption.
Week 15 brings the Chargers back into the picture, the same team that handed Kansas City a loss in Week 1 - a game played all the way back in Brazil at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo. Mahomes was sharper in that one, throwing for 258 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-39 passing with no picks. But the Chiefs still came up short, 27-21.
Now, the stakes are even higher. It’s not just about avenging an early-season loss - it’s about keeping the season alive.
Mahomes, even at less than 100%, gives Kansas City its best shot. If he’s on the field Sunday, the Chiefs have a chance.
And right now, that’s all they can ask for.