Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes played through a mild ankle sprain on Saturday, leading his team to a 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Despite the injury sustained in the previous game against the Cleveland Browns, Mahomes participated in his regular practice routine throughout the week. His performance included 260 passing yards, one touchdown pass, and one touchdown run.

This isn't Mahomes' first experience playing through an ankle injury. He notably overcame a similar sprain in the 2022 playoffs, leading the Chiefs to victory in both the AFC Championship and Super Bowl LVII. While a mild sprain typically requires a recovery period of two to four weeks, Mahomes has demonstrated a remarkable ability to return to the field sooner than anticipated.

The last time Mahomes missed game action due to injury was in 2019 when a dislocated patella sidelined him for two games. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed amazement at Mahomes' resilience and mental toughness, acknowledging his quarterback's ability to consistently exceed expectations in his recovery from injuries. Mahomes himself had initially downplayed the likelihood of playing unless he felt fully capable of executing the game plan without limitations.

With this hard-fought victory, the Chiefs extended their streak of one-possession wins to 16, surpassing the 2004 New England Patriots. More significantly, they are now one win away from securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which guarantees a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs are striving to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls, and Mahomes' exceptional performance despite injury brings them one step closer to this historic feat.