Patrick Mahomes returns to lead Chiefs past Jets after scary hit to right elbow

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left Sunday's game against the New York Jets with an injury scare after a hit to his throwing elbow but was able to return to help lead a 35-12 win.

The hit took place in the second quarter on a sack that forced a fumble. Mahomes' right elbow bent awkwardly on the sack, and he fumbled the ball. He was in clear pain after the hit and walked to the sideline holding his right arm. The Jets took over possession after recovering the fumble.

But Mahomes was able to throw on the sideline and returned to the field before the end of the half after the Chiefs retook possession of the ball.

Kansas City took over with 32 seconds remaining in the half after a missed Jets field goal and Mahomes was able to complete a 12-yard pass, then scramble for seven yards to set up a Harrison Butker field-goal attempt just before the end of the half.

Butker missed the 51-yard attempt, and the Chiefs went into halftime with a 14-12 lead.

"He hurt his elbow a little bit," head coach Andy Reid told CBS at halftime. "It's sore, but he came back. He's a tough kid."

Mahomes continued to play to start the third quarter and led the Chiefs to a touchdown drive on their first possession of the half to extend their lead to 21-12. The Jets didn't mount a challenge from there.

Mahomes didn't appear to be impacted by the injury scare and finished the day completing 23 of 31 passes for 278 yards (7.8 yards per attempt) with 2 touchdowns and no turnovers.

The Chiefs improved to 6-2 with the win and remain a half game in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos, who improved to 7-2 with a 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers.