Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is dealing with a small UCL sprain in his right elbow but is expected to start Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The injury was discovered after the Chiefs sought second and third opinions on medical scans from doctors employed by the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, in addition to their own team doctors, Schefter adds.
The doctors concluded that it was safe for Mahomes to play despite being sore and receiving treatment throughout the week. He was listed as a full participant in practice and has no injury designation for Sunday’s game.
Mahomes suffered the injury while getting hit on a pass attempt in the first half of last week’s victory over the New York Jets. He walked off the field clutching his arm and was in visible pain, but ultimately stayed in the contest.
Patrick Mahomes comes off the field in pain with an apparent injury to his throwing arm following a turnover https://t.co/5fsqKGPaFz
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 8, 2026
Kansas City reportedly reached out to Dr. Vincent Key, who works for the Royals, shortly after the Week 9 victory. The elbow specialist reviewed the scans and stated that Mahomes “got away with one,” a source told Schefter. Key later contacted the Rangers doctor to review the scans, and the pair reached a similar conclusion.
Mahomes has started all eight games this season, throwing for 2,037 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Among 31 qualifying quarterbacks this year, he ranks sixth in passer rating and 10th in EPA/dropback, according to TruMedia.
The 31-year-old missed the final three games of last campaign after suffering a torn ACL in mid-December. He rehabbed and returned for the 2026 season opener, just under nine months after the major knee injury.
Kansas City is 6-2 heading into Sunday’s contest in Atlanta against the 3-6 Falcons.