Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes escaped significant damage to ligaments when he dislocated his right kneecap against Denver and could be back in four to six weeks. Mahomes has had an MRI exam. The league’s MVP was injured during Thursday night’s win.

DENVER (AP) — The Year of the Backup Quarterback now features Matt Moore, a 35-year-old journeyman who was out of football last year. Moore was thrust into the Chiefs’ lineup when reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes injured his right knee at Denver. The league’s celebration of its 100th season has been marred by the loss of some of its biggest stars. The club of QBs sidelined so far includes Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, Nick Foles, Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky and Sam Darnold.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Clint Bowyer rolled into Kansas Speedway on Friday with the comfort of knowing he’ll be with Stewart-Haas Racing next season and the uncertainty of whether he’ll be in the playoffs next week. The native Kansan reached a contract extension with SHR to remain in the No. 14 Ford regardless of what happens Sunday, when Bowyer faces postseason elimination. He sits 11th in the 12-driver field with the bottom four drivers eliminated after the race at Kansas Speedway.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Christian Eckes won the ARCA Series finale along with its season championship Friday night. The 18-year-old from Greenville, New York, had a 15-point lead on Venturini Motorsports teammate Michael Self heading into the race at Kansas Speedway. Self went to the front early in the race before Eckes, who started from the back after an engine change, methodically reeled him in.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The No. 47 team from JTG Daugherty Racing was busy putting an engine into a backup car for Ryan Preece after its team transporter caught fire the previous day. The drivers in the hauler were not injured, though the team was unsure what could be salvaged of the cars. Meanwhile, the Xfinity Series entry from Kaulig Racing was scrambling after its own hauler crashed down an embankment. Nobody was hurt in that wreck, either.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Missouri coach Barry Odom knows the dangers of going on the road and how a few mistakes can prove very costly. Though Missouri is ranked No. 22 and has won five straight, Odom is going back to basics as his Tigers visit Vanderbilt for their first road game since a stunning loss at Wyoming to open this season. He says the Tigers will treat this like their first game of the year. The staff is reminding players to prepare and play diligently to avoid a road misstep against a desperate team.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Every time that longtime Kansas State coach Bill Snyder seemed to be leaning toward retirement, it seemed as if TCU coach Gary Patterson’s name would surface as the logical successor for the Wildcats. Things never quite worked out that way, and now Chris Klieman will lead the Wildcats against Patterson’s Horned Frogs on Saturday.