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Patrick Mahomes reportedly won't need surgery to address his dislocated kneecap and is facing three to five weeks on the sidelines, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

However, ESPN's Adam Schefter, citing sources, later reported that "Mahomes now could return to the Chiefs in less than three weeks."

Schefter added that the Chiefs are "expected to exercise extreme caution with Mahomes, and the time off will allow him to rest his knee and high ankle sprain," though he still could make his return in the team's Nov. 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City.

Mahomes, 24, was injured in the first quarter of the team's 30-6 win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.

Getting Mahomes back in action will be vital for the 5-2 Chiefs, who will turn to Matt Moore in his stead. Moore can't replicate the impact of Mahomes, the defending MVP, who threw for an astonishing 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last year.

Mahomes has been a bit more human in 2019, throwing for 2,180 yards, 15 touchdowns and an interception, but he's still the game's best quarterback. Moore was fine in relief duty on Thursday, finishing 10-of-19 with a touchdown, but he was also out of football in 2018 altogether and has started just five games since 2012.

Relying on Moore for a large chunk of the season would be a major concern for the Chiefs. Even with their collection of skill-position talents, including Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, LeSean McCoy and Mecole Hardman, among others, Mahomes is the proverbial straw that stirs the drink.

And Kansas City doesn't have any gimmes before its Week 12 bye, with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Chargers on tap. The Packers and Vikings are a combined 9-3, while the Titans and Chargers were both playoff teams a year ago, even if they've each stumbled to a 2-4 start this year.

The difference between keeping pace with the New England Patriots (6-0), Baltimore Ravens (4-2) and Houston Texans (4-2) in the quest for a top-two seed in the AFC and falling away from the pack could end up being how the Chiefs play without Mahomes. They're entering a crucial point in their season, whether Mahomes is able to come back in less than three weeks or not.