It was a massive tackle that Patrick Mahomes never wanted to make. The play took out receiver Rashee Rice, and came after Mahomes threw an interception in the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Mahomes was trying to make a tackle. It was a great effort. Unfortunately, his helmet ended up colliding with Rice's knee. It's still to be determined if and when Rice might return — as Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team is still gathering more information as everyone waits for the swelling in Rice's knee to go down.
"I didn't notice it in the moment, I was more worried about trying to get the ball," Mahomes said, via Pro Football Talk. "But obviously, was just trying to make a play and it happens whenever you're trying to make tackles.
"I mean, when I saw the replay, I felt like s—- that I hit Rashee. I think that's pretty much all. I mean, I wasn't worried about myself. I was worried about, hopefully, his injury and hoping it wasn't as bad as it looked because I was the one that hit him."
Rice has been brilliant for the Chiefs in his second NFL season, feeling in 24 passes for 288 yards with two touchdowns in the first three games. For now, Kansas City will need to find a way to replace that productivity.
"[O]bviously, Rashee is a huge part of the game plan, you have to throw guys in there and make that timing up," Mahomes said. "Coach tries to get that done in practice — he tries to throw guys in certain situations. But obviously, there are limited reps. But I thought the guys did a great job of accepting the challenge and being in there in those moments.
"But coach Reid does a great job of getting guys ready to go throughout a week of game plan. And we had an extra day this week, so I'm sure guys will be ready to go out there and play some great football."
