After the Kansas City Chiefs’ hard-fought victory over the Cleveland Browns, head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed the media regarding an injury to star tight end Travis Kelce, who was removed from the game early due to a lingering issue.

Kelce, who had been playing through pain, was replaced by backup Carson after his injury. Mahomes, speaking on the situation, noted that while Kelce initially wanted to continue, the decision to keep him out was made for his long-term health and safety.

“Obviously, it’s hard to say how I’m feeling right now because of the adrenaline running through me, but I think the smart decision was to pull me out of the game,” Kelce explained.

He added that while he felt capable of finishing, the coaching staff made the best call by putting Carson in. “He’s played a lot of football and finished the game well.”

Mahomes also weighed in, describing the moment of the injury during a pivotal fourth-down play. “I was trying to make a play and got hit in the pocket. It felt like someone hit me from behind, and I just got rolled up on. It’s part of the game, and I’m just going to focus on rehab and get ready for next week,” Mahomes said.

While Mahomes reassured the media that the injury didn’t appear to be anything too serious, Coach Reid confirmed that Kelce’s injury wasn’t broken but stated that it would be evaluated further day by day.

“He probably could have gone back in, but with Carson available, there was no need to push it,” Reid said, acknowledging Kelce’s resilience. “He’s a tough guy, but we have a strong support system in place, and Carson did a great job managing the game.”

The Chiefs have been known for their ability to push through injuries, and Mahomes added that it’s all about balancing making plays and maintaining the health of key players. “I’ve taken a lot of hits this year. Sometimes you have to trust your offense and go through your progressions,” Mahomes said, emphasizing the importance of finding the balance between making big plays and ensuring personal safety.

Looking ahead, Reid acknowledged the importance of the short week ahead and how the team needs to get ready for the next game. “We’ve had good spurts offensively, and we’re getting better each week. We just need to put it all together, and that’s the goal moving forward,” Reid added.

Despite the injury challenges, the Chiefs remain focused on the bigger picture. With the offense, defense, and special teams all playing a key role in their win, Reid remains optimistic. “The most important thing is that we won the game. It wasn’t perfect, but we got the job done,” he said.

As for Kelce, both Reid and Mahomes remain hopeful he’ll be back soon, continuing to keep a close eye on his recovery. The Chiefs will continue to monitor his condition closely, especially with the upcoming challenges in the weeks ahead.