Mahomes entered the medical tent but jogged along the sideline shortly afterwards. He was back in the game for Kansas City’s next drive, to loud applause from the fans at Arrowhead Stadium.

Despite the initial shock, he did not appear significantly bothered by the injury for the remainder of the final quarter or overtime, although it was noticeable on a few plays. On his first drive back, Mahomes orchestrated a 15-play touchdown march for 78 yards to take the lead, then drove down the field again in overtime for the game-winning TD.

He was 34 of 44 for 291 yards and three touchdowns on the night, with his post-injury statistical line at 11 of 15 for 102 yards and a touchdown.

“When he was taken away, it wasn’t that easy. I didn’t know exactly where he was going to go with it,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters. “But he might have the loosest ankles in America. I mean, it’s crazy how he can come back from those things, and on top of that, he’s mentally strong.”

Mahomes had suffered an injury to that ankle after being rolled up during a Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He was listed on the injury report during the week’s practices through Monday night, although he participated fully every day.

It’s not the first time Mahomes has suffered an ankle injury, as Monday’s effort may bring back memories of the quarterback’s spectacular effort to play through a sprained ankle to lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago.

Luckily for the Chiefs, Mahomes said this rolled ankle wasn’t nearly as bad as that injury, and expects it to be more about managing pain with a short week ahead of him before facing the Broncos.

“It hurt a lot more,” Mahomes said of the 2023 injury. “I still have mobility in my ankle and it still is after this game, and so obviously you’re sleeping, you’re probably going to get a little bit of swelling tomorrow, but In a short week, you’ll go out there and take care of it, and be prepared to play next week.”