Frank Clark sees specialist about stomach ailment; Patrick Mahomes’ hand improves
The stomach issue dogging Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark took a mysterious turn Wednesday.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Clark is seeing a specialist about his ailment. Clark missed practice time last week with what was listed as an illness and shoulder injury. But he played 31 of 67 snaps at the New England Patriots and finished with two tackles for loss, including a sack of Pats quarterback Tom Brady.
“You’re dealing with a guy who loves to play,” Reid said. “We were managing it and making sure he was OK to play. Then it kind of subsided a bit. It’s reoccurred today.”
Asked if the bug was virus-related, Reid said, “We’re not sure. I think that was probably the initial thought.”
Clark was one of three Chiefs who missed practice Wednesday, joining cornerbacks Rashard Fenton (hamstring) and Morris Claiborne (shoulder). Neither Fenton nor Claiborne played against the Patriots. Linebacker Darron Lee also didn’t practice; the reason was not an “injury designation,” according to Wednesday’s injury report.
But there was good news Wednesday regarding the hand injury suffered by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He fell and hurt his right (throwing hand) in the first quarter Sunday against the Patriots. Mahomes finished the game but afterward said he had difficulty gripping the ball.
Mahomes said Wednesday that the swelling in his hand had subsided.
“It’s doing better,” Mahomes said. “A lot of the swelling went out these last two days. I was able to throw the football around today and I’m excited to go out in practice and spin it around there. Definitely a little scary after the game when it was bruised and with the swelling.
“Today was really the first day I was able to get a grip on it. I was able to flick it around (Tuesday), but today was actually the first day I was able to grip the ball and drive it downfield.”
The injury to Mahomes occurred in the first quarter. He still passed for 283 yards, and his 48-yard touchdown toss to Mecole Hardman came after the injury.
Mahomes practiced fully Wednesday, along with left tackle Eric Fisher (groin), cornerback Kendall Fuller (thumb), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (elbow) and defensive end Alex Okafor (ankle).
Running back Damien Williams, who has missed the Chiefs’ previous two games with a rib injury, and guard Andrew Wylie (shoulder) were limited in practice Wednesday.
“He is getting better,” Reid said of Williams.
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 1:53 PM.