Chiefs QB Mahomes expected to miss 4-6 weeks
Rams plan on new DB Ramsey playing Sunday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes escaped significant ligament damage when he dislocated his right kneecap and there is optimism the reigning NFL MVP could be back on the field in about a month.
Mahomes had an MRI exam Friday that showed the ligaments were intact, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team was still sorting through the results and putting together a timetable for his return.
The Chiefs play Green Bay a week from Sunday, then face the Vikings and Titans before a Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 18. The Chiefs (5-2) have their bye the following week, so it is possible they hold Mahomes out until Dec. 1 against Oakland.
“The kid had the MRI and we don’t have all the information. That’s what I can give you,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday. “Once we get the information, we can give you everything that kind of happened and what’s going on down the road. The whole deal.”
Mahomes was hurt in a 30-6 victory in Denver on Thursday night while sneaking for first down on fourth-and-short deep in Broncos territory. Everyone jumped up from the pile but Mahomes, who quickly reached for his right knee as trainers rushed onto the field.
Physicians used what is called a reduction maneuver to guide the patella back into place, and Mahomes was helped to his feet and shooed away a waiting cart. As players from both teams gathered to pat him on the back, Mahomes limped off the field and to the locker room with little assistance.
RAMS: Los Angeles expects cornerback Jalen Ramsey to play on Sunday in Atlanta.
Ramsey went through a second full practice with the Rams on Friday, three days after Los Angeles acquired the former AllPro cornerback in a trade with Jacksonville.
Coach Sean McVay says he is optimistic Ramsey will be able to contribute when the Rams (3-3) visit the Falcons (1-5) at the site of Los Angeles’ Super Bowl loss last season.
Ramsey missed the Jaguars’ past three games with a back injury shortly after making a trade request. He had returned to practice with Jacksonville shortly before the trade.
BEARS: Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has been out since Sept. 29 with a left shoulder injury, will be a gametime decision Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, even after he practiced all week without limitations.
The Bears listed Trubisky as questionable on Friday’s injury report.
Trubisky was injured early in the Bears’ 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Chase Daniel relieved Trubisky in that game and started the next game for Chicago (3-2).
GIANTS: Saquon Barkley has been cleared to return to the New York lineup for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Barkley practiced Friday and was not listed on coach Pat Shurmur’s final injury report.
Last year’s offensive rookie of the year has not played since spraining his right ankle on Sept. 22 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
JETS: Kelechi Osemele and the New York Jets are locked up in a surgery standoff.
The left guard says he needs a season-ending operation on his shoulder and is waiting for the team to authorize the procedure. The team, however, wants him on the field.
Osemele said Friday the team doctor and an independent doctor in California have both recommended the surgery for a torn labrum. But a person with direct knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press both doctors determined it is actually a preexisting injury and cleared Osemele to play through the injury — and possibly have surgery in the offseason.
“It’s been killing me,” Osemele said. “I’m just trying to get this done. I’ve done everything I can. I’ve been at work every day, waking up at 5 in the morning, doing all the rehab and the treatments and stuff like that. I’m like the last dude out of here at night. I’m doing everything I can. I’m working with my agent. We’re communicating with the team.
“There’s just not communication between the team and my doctor and my agent. It’s just been butting heads for whatever reason. Hopefully, it gets resolved soon.”
Osemele was later told he’s expected to practice Saturday or face a fine and/or suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not publicly commented on the situation.