The Kansas City Chiefs took the unusual step of consulting with professional baseball medical specialists before clearing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to play against the Atlanta Falcons.
The precaution followed a game against the New York Jets where Mahomes suffered an injury to his right throwing arm after being sacked.
According to “reporting from ESPN’s Adam Schefter,” the team sought second and third opinions from experts familiar with elbow trauma, which is more common in baseball than in football.
Chiefs vice president of sports medicine Rick Burkholder sent magnetic resonance imaging scans to Dr. Vincent Key, who serves as the team physician for the Kansas City Royals.
Dr. Key suggested that the team also consult with Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the injury.
Both medical experts concluded that the quarterback had suffered a muscle strain and a very small sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament, though they agreed it was safe for him to return to the field.
Mahomes expressed his relief regarding the diagnosis during a postgame interview, as noted in “coverage by Jesse Newell,” stating, “Anytime it’s elbows and knees it’s always scary because you just don’t know.”
Head coach Andy Reid later described the medical feedback as “more positive news than negative news” regarding the status of his signal-caller.
Following a week of treatment, the quarterback entered the matchup against the Atlanta Falcons without any injury designation.
He ultimately silenced concerns about his health by completing 22 of 35 passes for 348 yards and five touchdowns in a 35-13 victory.
The performance helped solidify the team’s momentum as they look toward future postseason aspirations.
The “Gridiron Heroics report” noted that the team remains focused on maintaining their competitive edge throughout the remainder of the season.