Travis Kelce has shared some of the greatest moments of his NFL career with Patrick Mahomes, but the Kansas City Chiefs tight end could do little more than watch anxiously when his quarterback suffered a painful injury against the New York Jets.

The three-time Super Bowl champion was visibly shaken after Mahomes took a heavy hit late in the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium, with television cameras capturing Kelce looking toward the sky and closing his eyes in apparent frustration.

The incident occurred when Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey beat Kansas City’s protection and struck Mahomes‘ right arm as the quarterback attempted to launch a deep pass.

Mahomes lost possession on the play, allowing New York to recover the football in Chiefs territory, but the turnover quickly became secondary to concerns about his physical condition.

The quarterback remained on the ground clutching his right elbow before slowly walking toward the sideline, where Kansas City’s medical staff immediately began examining his throwing arm.

With Mahomes having already overcome a serious knee injury sustained last season, the sight of another potentially significant setback understandably raised concerns throughout the Chiefs organization.

Kelce‘s reaction highlighted the importance of Mahomes to Kansas City’s championship ambitions, particularly following an injury that required extensive rehabilitation before the 2026 season.

Mahomes appeared uncomfortable while testing his arm on the sideline, carefully throwing passes as medical personnel assessed whether he could continue.

However, the quarterback returned for Kansas City’s next offensive possession without missing a snap, immediately completing a 12-yard pass to Kelce.

He then scrambled seven yards to set up a field goal opportunity, although Harrison Butker missed twice after an offside penalty gave him a second attempt.

Kansas City entered halftime leading 14-12, with head coach Andy Reid offering a reassuring assessment during an interview with CBS reporter Tracy Wolfson.

“He hurt his elbow a little bit,” Reid said. “It’s sore, but he came back. He’s a tough kid.”

Mahomes and Kelce turn injury scare into touchdown

The second half provided an encouraging response as Mahomes returned to lead another scoring drive, demonstrating that the injury had not prevented him from directing the offense.

After the quarterback was stopped near the goal line, Reid kept his offense on the field for fourth down, trusting his two most experienced playmakers to finish the drive.

Mahomes delivered a short lateral to Kelce, who powered into the end zone for a touchdown that extended Kansas City’s advantage to 21-12.

Although the exchange resembled a short pass, the play was officially recorded as a rushing touchdown, Kelce‘s third of his NFL career.

The Chiefs eventually secured a 35-12 victory, with Mahomes completing 23 of 31 passes for 242 yards as Kansas City ended its two-game losing streak.

Kelce had previously praised Mahomes‘ determination during his rehabilitation, explaining how their partnership continued to motivate him late in his own career.

While Mahomes‘ ability to finish the game offered considerable reassurance, the Chiefs will still need to monitor his elbow as they prepare for their next challenge.