Source: Chiefs’ Mahomes expected to miss 4-6 weeks
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 Tennessee 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.
Barkley cleared to return
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> Saquon Barkley has been cleared to return to the Giants’ lineup for Sunday’s game against Arizona.
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 Tampa Bay.
Barkley rushed for 237 yards with a 6.4-yard average and a touchdown in the Giants’ first 2½ games. He has since missed three games and the running game has slowed without him.
Bears’ Trubisky will be a game-time decision
LAKE FOREST, ILL. >> Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has been out since Sept. 29 with a left shoulder injury, will be a game-time 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. Also questionable are defensive end Bilal Nichols (hand) and guard Ted Larsen (knee).
Trubisky was injured early in the Bears’ 16-6 victory over the Vikings. Chase Daniel relieved Trubisky in that game and started the next game for Chicago (3-2), a loss to the Oakland Raiders. The Bears are coming off a bye.
“He’s been doing good in practice,” coach Matt Nagy said of Trubisky. “I like where he’s at.
“We said early in the week it’s going to be like a day-by-day thing. So far, he’s stacked good days together.”
McVay: Ramsey expected to play vs. Falcons
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.>> The Rams expect cornerback Jalen Ramsey to play Sunday in Atlanta.
Ramsey went through a second full practice with the Rams on Friday, three days after Los Angeles acquired the former All-Pro 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.