Chiefs QB 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 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 during the Chiefs' 30-6 win 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.

Mahomes was only in the X-ray room for a couple minutes before he was ruled out.

The Chiefs led 13-6 when Mahomes left and journeyman quarterback Matt Moore, who was signed just before the season when backup Chad Henne broke his ankle, finished the game. Moore wound up going 10 of 19 for 117 yards, a good chunk of it coming on a 57-yard scoring strike to Tyreek Hill.

Reid indicated that Moore would be the starter going forward, and that rookie Kyle Shurmur - the son of longtime NFL coach Pat Shurmur - could be elevated from the practice squad as the backup.