Vikings might have to face Patrick Mahomes in Week 9 after all

Despite the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback dislocating his kneecap less than two weeks ago, there’s still a chance that he could suit up against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.

It wasn’t very long ago when most believed the Minnesota Vikings were going to catch a break and not have to face the reigning NFL MVP in Patrick Mahomes when they travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9.

Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap in the Chiefs’ Week 7 win over the Denver Broncos and it was originally believed that he would be out for at least three games, including his matchup against the Vikings. However, after he surprisingly practiced last week, Kansas City could potentially see their top quarterback return to the field to take on Minnesota in Week 9.

Mahomes is now believed to have, “an outside chance,” to play against the Vikings in Week 9 according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Sunday. Rapoport indicated that a return for the Chiefs quarterback in Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans is more likely though.

While Mahomes did practice last week, he reportedly didn’t do much other than throw a few passes with the scout team and do some jogging. So it will be interesting to see if he gets a bigger workload during his practices leading up to Kansas CIty’s Week 9 matchup with Minnesota.

If Mahomes is unable to suit up against the Vikings, the Chiefs will turn to backup Matt Moore as their starter for the second straight game. Against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Moore threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns.

Minnesota’s game in Kansas City this week should still be difficult whether Mahomes plays or not though. A road matchup with the Chiefs is never easy and the Vikings haven’t won a game inside Kansas CIty’s Arrowhead Stadium since 1974.

The Packers were able to get a road victory over the Chiefs on Sunday and Minnesota must do the same in Week 10 to keep pace in the NFC North.