Matt

Moore

Moore lost the backup quarterback job to veteran Chad Henne. The Chiefs came into the offseason with 20-of-22 starters returning, so it was a tough roster for bubble guys.

It only makes sense given the need for continuity without actual offseason reps this year. The Giants had also shown interest in Moore, who completed 49-of-71 passes for 542 yards and three touchdowns in his two spot-starts for Patrick Mahomes last year. He’ll again hold Mahomes’ clipboard throughout the season barring another injury.

New York recently exercised Alex Tanney’s $1 million option but remain interested in bringing in a veteran to compete behind Daniel Jones. Moore, 36 in August, was at least competent in his two spot-starts for Patrick Mahomes last year, completing 49-of-71 passes for 542 yards and three scores.

Moore’s touchdown was a 40-yard strike to Tyreek Hill over the top to beat CB Trae Waynes. The two hooked up six times in total for 140 yards and the score. Moore was more than serviceable in his two-game stint in place of Patrick Mahomes (knee), but Mahomes is expected back for Week 10 against Tennessee. Moore will head back to clipboard-holding duties.

Moore played better than expected, keeping pace with Aaron Rodgers for most of the night. His touchdowns came on a wide open throw to Travis Kelce and a 30-yard pass to Mecole Hardman where Hardman did all the work. This is the type of game the Chiefs were hoping for with Moore, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Packers. Patrick Mahomes is pushing to return next week, so Moore’s stint as a starter may only ended up being one game.

Mahomes’ much-anticipated MRI results were a “best-case scenario” for the Chiefs, who are expected to exercise “extreme caution” with the reigning MVP as he works back from a dislocated kneecap in addition to his pre-existing high-ankle sprain. While some had feared his injury Thursday night would be a season-ender, Schefter’s ESPN colleague Chris Mortensen hears Mahomes is “week to week.” In the meantime, expect Matt Moore to fill in at quarterback, at least until Chad Henne (ankle) is activated from injured reserve. Kyle Shurmur, currently on the team’s practice squad, will likely be called on to back up Moore next week when the Chiefs host Green Bay on Sunday Night Football.

It’s not the worst diagnosis Mahomes could have gotten as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports the quarterback avoided “significant additional damage.” Mahomes will seek multiple opinions before a decision is made, though the tentative plan is for him to return after a “brief absence.” A return in three weeks would probably be the best-case scenario for Mahomes, though even if that’s the case, he’d likely be confined to the pocket and would surely be required to wear a brace on his injured knee. Sports injury expert David Chao believes surgery is inevitable for Mahomes, though it sounds like he’ll wait until after the season to consider that possibility. Well-traveled veteran Matt Moore—who has received a grand total of zero practice reps with the first-team offense this season—will slot in as KC’s interim starter.

On Friday Mahomes will undergo one of the most-anticipated MRIs in recent memory, which should determine the full extent of his knee injury. As dispiriting as his injury appeared in real time, there is “real optimism” Mahomes can return once the three weeks are up, though he’d likely be doing so at much less than 100 percent. In the absence of a trade or free-agent signing, it appears Matt Moore will carry the torch for Mahomes, who had already been playing through a high-ankle sprain before Thursday’s setback. For what it’s worth, sports injury expert David Chao believes the reigning MVP will eventually require offseason surgery.

Forced on late in the first half after Patrick Mahomes was lost to a dislocated kneecap, Moore didn’t have to do much in a game the Chiefs led 20-6 at halftime. He did manage to find Tyreek Hill for a 57-yard score on a crosser where Hill did most of the work. Although the early news has been positive, the odds are high that Mahomes misses at least one game. Even with Hill and Travis Kelce at his disposal, Moore will be an uninspiring QB2 if forced into the starting lineup.

Andy Reid called a quarterback sneak near the goal line in order to convert a 4th and short, and it resulted in Mahomes laying on the field injured. Helmet off, covering his face, Mahomes had his right knee attended to by doctors. The cart even drove onto the field, but Mahomes waved it off and limped off with trainers. He was then seen in the X-ray room, exited after two minutes and was immediately ruled out for the game. Matt Moore replaced the injured 2018 MVP.