The Chiefs quarterback lost a fumble on the sack and went to the sideline, but returned before halftime with Kansas City clinging to a 14-12 lead.
Patrick Mahomes took a big hit from Jets first-round pick David Bailey on a sack late in the first half, coughing up the ball for the Chiefs' second turnover of the day. The bigger worry was what came after: Mahomes headed to the sideline for medical attention on his elbow.
Team medical staff checked him out, and Mahomes started throwing to test the arm. He grimaced through the throws but stayed in the game, returning to the field after Jets kicker Jason Sanders missed a 53-yard field goal attempt with 37 seconds left in the half.
Once back in, Mahomes looked fine enough, hitting Travis Kelce for a 12-yard gain and juking away from Bailey again before scrambling for 7 yards. That drive set up a 56-yard Harrison Butker field goal attempt that sailed wide right, though the Jets were flagged for being offside on the play.
The scare comes after a rough stretch for Kansas City, which has been dealing with a two-game skid and a tightening AFC West race with Denver. For now, the Chiefs will take Mahomes staying on the field as a win in itself, elbow and all.