Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Talks 'Scary' Ankle Injury, Says He Feared 'The Worst'

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged that he was initially concerned when he tweaked his ankle during the fourth quarter of Monday night's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While throwing a game-tying touchdown pass to running back Samaje Perine, the three-time Super Bowl MVP came up limping and had to be helped to his feet:

Per ESPN's Adam Teicher, Mahomes initially thought the issue was far more serious than it turned out to be.

"Definitely scary," he said. "I think it hurt more just because it's the same ankle I rolled last week, so it scared me a little bit. When you don't know exactly what happens and you get that sharp pain, you always fear the worst."

The 29-year-old was able to get to the sidelines under his own power, and after testing his ankle on the sidelines, he was back on the field for the Chiefs on their next offensive series.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters after the game that he had informed Mahomes he was taking him out and told backup Carson Wentz to get ready, but Mahomes did enough in between series to show Reid he was fine to return to the field.

He showed no ill effects from the injury, as he led Kansas City on a go-ahead touchdown drive, throwing a five-yard scoring pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with 4:17 remaining in regulation.

The Bucs tied it with 27 seconds left on a one-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to wideout Ryan Miller, but that merely delayed the inevitable.

Kansas City won the coin toss in overtime, and the Buccaneers never saw the ball again, as Mahomes marched the Chiefs 70 yards down the field on 10 plays, culminating in a two-yard touchdown run by running back Kareem Hunt to secure the 30-24 victory.

With the win, KC improved to 8-0 on the season and remain the only NFL team left with an undefeated record.

Perhaps most importantly, Mahomes had his best statistical game of the season, going 34-of-44 for 291 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

He had thrown at least one interception in each of the Chiefs' first seven games, and he entered Monday's contest with eight touchdown passes and nine picks on the year.

While his overall numbers still leave something to be desired, Mahomes and the Kansas City offense as a whole may finally be on he right track.

It seems Mahomes again has the No. 1 wide receiver he has lacked since Rashee Rice was lost for the season, as Hopkins registered eight catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns in his second game as a member of the Chiefs.

Mahomes and Hopkins will attempt to continue cultivating their relationship Sunday when the Chiefs host the AFC West rival Denver Broncos.