Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says he is fully recovered from flu-like symptoms and a hand injury that impacted his performance during last week’s 24-9 loss to the Denver Broncos.
As the Chiefs prepare to face the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, this Sunday, Mahomes expressed confidence in his health and readiness to bounce back.
“I’m feeling perfectly fine now,” Mahomes said during a Friday news conference after the team arrived in Frankfurt. “It was kind of just that night and a little bit the next day, but I got back pretty quickly.”
Mahomes, who fumbled and threw two interceptions in the Denver game, also downplayed concerns about a cut on his left hand, stating it won’t affect his performance. “The hand is fine. I just have to cover it up for some practices, but I don’t think I’ll have much of anything on it for the game,” Mahomes assured.
The Chiefs suffered five turnovers in the loss to the Broncos, but Mahomes believes the team is ready to move on. “You find that stuff, you correct it, you talk about it with your coaches and teammates, and then you move on. The NFL is a long season; that stuff happens,” he added.
The Chiefs, who landed in Germany on Friday, opted for a shorter acclimation period compared to their opponents. The Dolphins arrived in Frankfurt on Tuesday to adjust to the time zone and environment. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid noted that the team has successfully handled similar travel situations before, having won international games in both London and Mexico City in previous seasons. “The guys seem to respond to it,” Reid said.
Tight end Travis Kelce echoed the team’s confidence, dismissing any concerns about jet lag or travel fatigue. “We’re ready to roll anytime, anywhere—whether it’s in a parking lot, on some nice grass, or a mud field, we don’t care,” Kelce said.
Sunday’s matchup marks Mahomes’ first European appearance. His only other international game came in 2019 when the Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24-7 in Mexico City. The Chiefs had been scheduled to play in Mexico a year earlier, but the game was relocated due to poor field conditions.
In preparation for the game, Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park replaced its natural grass with a hybrid surface—primarily grass, reinforced with synthetic fibers—after last year’s complaints about field conditions. The NFL pushed for the change to ensure player safety and performance.
As the Chiefs look to recover from last week’s upset, they’ll have to do so without running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who didn’t make the trip to Germany due to an illness. Despite the challenges, Kansas City remains focused on maintaining its position atop the AFC West as it gears up for another potential Super Bowl run.
The international game, which kicks off Sunday in Frankfurt, will be a pivotal moment for the Chiefs as they look to solidify their place as contenders in the AFC.
