High Stakes and High Strain… Mahomes’ Road to the Super Bowl

At a Glance:

Player: Patrick Mahomes
Position: Quarterback
Team: Chiefs
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Projected Recovery Time: TBD

Week 21 Injury Report: High Stakes and High Strain… Mahomes’ Road to the Super Bowl

Patrick Mahomes sustained a high ankle strain during Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns. Despite the injury, Mahomes demonstrated resilience by playing through it in the subsequent two games, showing no apparent limitations in his performance.

Leading up to the Week 18 game, Mahomes was listed as limited in practice, an indication that the team was managing his workload to avoid aggravating the injury. The Kansas City Chiefs decided to rest their starters, including Mahomes, during the Week 18 game. This precautionary measure provided him additional recovery time and allowed backup quarterback Carson Wentz to start in his place. Wentz, who previously won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, brings valuable playoff experience to the Chiefs’ roster. 

Mahomes is expected to start in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. While he has had time to recover, the high ankle strain could still impact his mobility and overall performance. High ankle injuries often require extended recovery periods, and Mahomes’ ability to play effectively will likely hinge on pain management and adjustments in his play style.

A high ankle sprain is typically worse than the more common lateral ankle sprain, due to more tissues involved. The ankle joint is shaped like an arch with a dome (talus bone) underneath.

In a high ankle sprain that dome is forced upwards and with the rotation component seen with Barkley’s injury, the bones forming the arch are forced apart. Those bones, the fibula and tibia, are held together by ligaments and the interosseous membrane. The extent of ligament damage varies with each injury. There is also a risk of fracturing the fibula with this injury, but fortunately, the preliminary x-rays for Barkley were negative for a fracture.

The initial stage of recovery following a high ankle sprain involves protecting the ligaments to prevent further damage and trying to control pain and swelling. The patient may be non-weight bearing (on crutches) for several days to allow healing, but will progress to weight bearing as pain allows. Early treatment following the initial stage focuses on regaining motion through the joint and strengthening the muscles around to better protect the damaged structures. Ankle stability is especially important for an athlete like Mahomes and since the ligaments are affected, it is important to train the muscle to better stabilize the ankle. Balance is also a key component to work on as the ankle assists with maintaining balance. Once the patient is pain free and demonstrating improved stability, they can begin working towards more advanced drills to return to sport.

The Chiefs’ coaching staff may implement strategies to mitigate the effects of Mahomes’ limited mobility, such as focusing on quick-release passing plays, emphasizing the running game, and strengthening offensive line protection. Mahomes’ leadership and adaptability will remain crucial as he faces a formidable Eagles defense.

Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-mild-high-ankle-sprain