Patrick Mahomes appears to have come through the Chiefs’ Week 9 scare in much better shape than it first looked.
During Kansas City’s win over the New York Jets, Mahomes took a hard shot to his right arm on a sack from rookie edge rusher David Bailey. The play had all the makings of a serious injury, and even though Mahomes returned to the game, there was still real concern afterward.
That picture got a lot clearer on Wednesday. Andy Reid told reporters, including Charles Goldman from A to Z Sports, that Mahomes is expected to be a full participant in practice, a strong sign the injury is not considered a major issue.
“Chiefs HC Andy Reid anticipates full participation from QB Patrick Mahomes (elbow). Says he’s throwing the ball well,” Goldman reports.
For Kansas City, that’s the kind of update that changes the mood fast. What looked like a potentially ugly injury situation now seems to have settled into something far less alarming.
Reid’s comments line up with the early optimism that followed the initial tests, but hearing that Mahomes is throwing well and should be fully involved at practice on Wednesday makes the outlook even better for Week 10.
The Chiefs are set to face the Atlanta Falcons, and Mahomes may not need to carry a huge passing load in that one, given how well Kenneth Walker III and Emmett Johnson have been running the ball this season.
Still, the biggest takeaway is simple: Mahomes is trending toward being available, and that’s a massive relief after the way the Jets game unfolded.
With Josh Downs joining the squad after a trade deadline move, Mahomes and the Chiefs offense look to be in strong shape heading into the second half of the regular season.
In Other News...
Kansas State Faces A Costly QB Decision With TCU Up Next
Kansas State is still sorting through one of the most important decisions on its schedule, with Collin Klein not ready to name a starting quarterback for the upcoming meeting with TCU. Sophomore Dillon Duff and junior Blake Barnett are both in the mix, and Klein said the competition will continue in practice as the Wildcats try to steady themselves after Avery Johnsons injury helped trigger a recent losing streak.
The possibility of using both quarterbacks adds another layer to a situation Kansas State would rather have settled by now. With TCU next and the offense still adjusting to life without its starter, Klein is weighing not just who gives the Wildcats the best chance to move the ball, but how much flexibility he wants to keep available once the game begins. [Read more 🡒]
K-State Just Gave Fans A Real Reason To Feel Better
After a flat opening loss to South Dakota State, Kansas State has started to steady itself with back-to-back wins over Cal State Northridge and Creighton. The early response mattered, because it showed the Wildcats could absorb an ugly start and come back with more pace, better shot selection and a sharper edge on offense. Brandon Rechsteiner has been at the center of it, leading the way with 26 points in both victories while K-States three-point shooting took a noticeable step forward.
For a team trying to build confidence early, that kind of bounce-back is exactly what coach Casey Alexander wanted to see. He pointed to the progress and readiness the Wildcats showed after the opener, and the next question is whether this stretch is the start of something more stable or just a brief correction. Either way, K-State has already given its fans a much better reason to feel optimistic than it had after game one. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Is Pushing For A Young Tight End Fans Should Watch
Kansas States recruiting board keeps expanding, and one of the more intriguing names to surface is Caden Palmquest, a young tight end from Aledo High School in Texas. Collin Klein has extended a scholarship offer to Palmquest, who is already committed to SMU but is drawing attention from programs that like his upside and long-term potential. He is also hearing from Arkansas, Baylor and Oregon State, a sign that the Wildcats are competing in a crowded race for a prospect who is still early in his high school career.
For Kansas State, the offer fits a broader push across multiple positions and recruiting classes as the staff keeps working to build out its future board. Tight end is always a position worth tracking in this offense, and Palmquest is the kind of name that can linger on the radar for a while as the recruiting process unfolds. The Wildcats have made clear they want to stay involved, and for fans following the next wave of targets, this is one to keep an eye on. [Read more 🡒]