Report: Patrick Mahomes Comes Down Sick Entering Broncos-Chiefs Tilt

The Denver Broncos could be facing a diminished and contagious Patrick Mahomes on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and there is some doubt about whether Patrick Mahomes will play. Or, perhaps better put, there are questions as to what version of Mahomes will suit up. 

According to multiple sources, Mahomes came down with the flu on Saturday. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported some context and what it means for Mahomes' Week 8 availability. 

"Patrick Mahomes has the flu. He was feeling sick on Saturday. He has been receiving IVs both yesterday and today. He is not feeling great, but he will play, per source," Russini tweeted. 

Patrick Mahomes has the flu.
He was feeling sick on Saturday. He has been receiving IVs both yesterday and today. He is not feeling great, but he will play, per source.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 29, 2023

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Meanwhile, the Chiefs updated their injury report to include Mahomes with an illness, but didn't amend his game status. All signs point to him playing. 

Thanks to Michael Jordan, a "flu game" now has epic connotations, but they're not as glorious as it sounds, especially in the post-Covid world. Mahomes could spread the flu to other players. It's more than a tad conspicuous how unflinching the NFL's rules are and were on a player participating with Covid, but the flu? No biggie. 

But hey, at least the Broncos will have a bye week to recover if Mahomes infects the players. 

Now, the Broncos haven't defeated the Chiefs since Week 2 of the 2015 season. There was some hope that this year would be different, but the Broncos' early start to the season has since dashed them. 

However, if Mahomes isn't quite himself, it could play into the Broncos' hands. But even if the Broncos did snap their 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs, everyone would excuse it because Mahomes wasn't himself. 

If the Chiefs handle the Broncos, the tropes will center around how brave Mahomes was and how he transcended a viral infection to emerge victorious over his divisional foe once again. Keep an eye on the situation, but it's looking like Mahomes will play. 

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