The Kansas City Chiefs picked up their sixth victory of the season in a dominant 35-12 win over the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon.
While QB Patrick Mahomes managed to finish the contest, the superstar suffered an elbow injury after a hit he absorbed late in the second quarter.
The initial MRI following the game suggests no serious injury to Mahomes' throwing arm, though the Chiefs will continue to monitor him. Is he in danger of missing Week 10?
Let’s look at the latest Patrick Mahomes injury update and whether he will play next week vs. the Falcons. Plus, we’ll look at how his status impacts Chiefs vs. Falcons picks for PrizePicks.
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Patrick Mahomes Injury Update: Will Patrick Mahomes Play in Week 10 vs. Falcons?
The #2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jets DE David Bailey, had one of the most impressive performances of his young career when he recorded 2 sacks and 3 QB hits on Sunday. One of those sacks came just before halftime, forcing a fumble and injuring Mahomes on the play.
Mahomes returned in the second half but looked visibly uncomfortable throwing and kept most of his attempts in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field.
The Chiefs conducted an MRI immediately after the game, and early signs suggest the star QB could be good to go next week depending on the pain and swelling over the next few days.
Should anything change, backup QB Justin Fields would be in line to make his first start of the season, having played only a few snaps on trick plays through the first nine weeks. Fields came in on a designed QB sneak on Sunday and fumbled his lone rush attempt in the Chiefs’ win.
Now, let's dive into how Mahomes' status shifts projections for PrizePicks.
Chiefs Fantasy Football Outlook If Mahomes Is Out in Week 10
Should Mahomes suffer any setbacks, Fields would be in line to start his first game since Nov. 13, 2025, when he was still with the New York Jets.
Mahomes has put together a strong season despite returning from a season-ending knee injury suffered last campaign. His 254.6 passing yards per game rank just outside the top 10, while his 14:4 TD:INT ratio is seventh among qualifying QBs.
The 31-year-old added 2 more passing TDs to his season total on Sunday, finishing 23-of-31 for 242 yards. He admitted on Sunday afternoon that he "obviously didn't feel great," when he got hurt, but he was set on fighting through the discomfort.
“Yeah, I mean, if I’m able to play, I’m going to play. That’s part of the game. That’s part of playing. You know, it scares you in moments when you get some pain in certain areas of your body,” Mahomes said in his postgame press conference.
Fields played in two of the Chiefs’ three preseason contests, failing to throw a TD but completing 13 of 16 pass attempts. The former first-round pick has always been known for his dual-threat ability and would add another dimension to an already strong run game.
Fields led all QBs in rushing yards per game (42.56) last season, finishing the year with 11 total TDs and 1 INT in nine games as the Jets’ starter. The Chiefs wrapped up Week 9 with a top-five run game, averaging 137.7 YPG.
If Mahomes can go on Sunday, a strong showing against a Falcons secondary that has struggled all season and just traded star S Jessie Bates III could be on deck. Atlanta’s defense is conceding 228.0 passing YPG through the first nine weeks.
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Make Chiefs vs. Falcons Picks on PrizePicks
While Mahomes appears to be on track to play in the Chiefs’ upcoming game against the Falcons, keep an eye out for updates on his availability.
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