Brewers' Chourio undergoes MRI but stays upbeat after leaving NLDS Game 1 with hamstring tightness

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Another clutch playoff performance by Jackson Chourio had a concerning conclusion for the outfielder and the Milwaukee Brewers.

After becoming the first player to collect three hits in the first two innings of a postseason game, Chourio left Saturday's 9-3 NL Division Series victory over the Chicago Cubs with tightness in his right hamstring.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Game 1 that Chourio had undergone an MRI. Chourio missed a month during the regular season with an injury to the same hamstring.

“They haven't said anything,” Chourio said through an interpreter. “We're still waiting. But physically I feel good, and I feel in a position where I'm ready to keep going and keep competing.”

Murphy didn't sound as optimistic.

“Obviously it’s real scary,” he said. “Having that same hamstring injury to the same leg, we’re hoping that it’s something he can come back from soon. We have no idea when that would be. He’s just getting out of the tube right now. We’ll have somebody look at it. Could be devastating.”

Chourio's injury occurred on a bases-loaded grounder up the third base line in the second inning. After Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw made a diving stop, Chourio beat the throw to first for an RBI single that extended Milwaukee’s lead to 9-1.

But Chourio moved awkwardly after crossing first base. He departed after he was visited by Murphy and head athletic trainer Brad Epstein.

“It was just frustrating with the moment,” Chourio said. “But once (we were) kind of talking and having the advantage that we had there in the game, it was kind of a little bit more precautionary there to come out of the game.”

Chourio also said he felt good after hurting his hamstring while running the bases on a triple during a July 29 victory over the Cubs. He wouldn't play again until Aug. 30.

Before leaving Saturday's game, Chourio played a major role in a fast start for the NL Central champions.

He hit a leadoff double and a two-run single as part of the Brewers’ six-run outburst in the first. Chourio has gone 8 of 14 with six RBIs in four career playoff games.

The 21-year-old capped his rookie season last year by going 5 of 11 with two homers in the Brewers’ NL Wild Card Series loss to the New York Mets.

“I think it’s the adrenaline,” Chourio said. “I love playing in these pressure moments, and really, I see it as a blessing being able to compete and to be able to have the results that I’ve had. But really just playing in these moments, I treat it as a blessing.”

Chourio's early exit gave 28-year-old rookie Isaac Collins his postseason debut. Collins ran for Chourio, stayed in the game in left field and went 0 for 2.

Collins could be in line for a bigger role if Chourio is sidelined by his injury.

“Getting thrown into the fire like that is always tough, but I'm glad I got my feet wet,” Collins said.

Collins batted .263 with a .368 on-base percentage, nine homers and 54 RBIs as one of the Brewers' biggest surprises this year. But he ended the regular season in a 9-for-51 slump.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio (11) reacts to hitting a double as Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) looks on during the first inning in Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series game Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio (11) reacts to leaving the game with an injury during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio (11) reacts to leaving the game with an injury during the second inning in Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits an RBI single during the second inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits an RBI single during the second inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits a two-run scoring single during the first inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — C.J Stroud threw for 203 yards and a touchdown, the Texans leaned on the NFL's top-ranked defense to shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and Houston came away from Arrowhead Stadium with a 20-10 victory over Kansas City on Sunday night.

Nico Collins contributed four catches for 121 yards, and Dare Ogunbowale added a go-ahead touchdown run in the fourth quarter as the Texans (8-5) won their fifth straight overall and remained a game back of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South.

Mahomes, operating behind an ailing offensive line, was just 14 of 33 for 160 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions, the last of them late in the fourth quarter when Kansas City was trailing by a touchdown and trying to get the game to overtime.

While the win gave a big boost to Houston's playoff chances, whether it be a division title or wild-card spot, it dealt a crippling blow to the defending AFC champs. Kansas City dropped to 6-7, its worst record through 13 games since a 2-11 start to the 2012 season.

The Chiefs had won five straight against the Texans, including a divisional playoff matchup last January on their way to another Super Bowl appearance. But they were two different teams entirely when they returned for the rematch on Sunday night.

The streaking Texans were trying to keep their momentum going, and perhaps join a rare club of teams that includes Houston's 2018 version that started 0-3 and made the playoffs. And the once-dominant Chiefs were simply trying to stay in the postseason fight amid a dismal season marked by injuries, underwhelming performances and too many mistakes across the board.

The first half turned into a microcosm of all of it.

Stroud, who played so well against Indianapolis last week in his return from a concussion, connected with Collins for a 46-yard gain that set up Ka'imi Fairbairn's field goal, and a 53-yard catch that led to a short touchdown toss to Woody Marks.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs sustained two more significant injuries, this time to left tackle Wanya Morris and cornerback Trent McDuffie, leaving them without their best defensive back and Mahomes working with an offensive line consisting of three backups.

Kansas City wound up with 98 first-half yards and trailed 10-0 at the break, only the fourth time with Mahomes at quarterback and the second time in the regular season that the Chiefs had been shut out in the first half.

The Chiefs' defense held its own, though, forcing Stroud into eight consecutive incompletions to start the second half. That allowed Mahomes and the offense to pick away at the deficit, first on Kareem Hunt's TD run and then on Harrison Butker's tying field goal.

Ultimately, the game hinged on two fourth-down decisions in the first quarter.

With the score still 10-10, the Texans had fourth-and-1 at their own 35 and punted. The Chiefs were then held to fourth-and-1 at their own 31, chose to go for it, and watched Mahomes throw incomplete with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Six plays later, Ogunbowale plowed into the end zone from 5 yards out to give Houston the lead again.

The Chiefs failed on fourth down again moments later, when Rashee Rice dropped a wide-open pass that would have produced a first down. And after Kansas City got the ball back one last time, Mahomes was picked off to end any hope of a comeback.

Texans: RB Nick Chubb (ribs) left in the first half.

Chiefs: RG Trey Smith (ankle) and RT Jawaan Taylor (triceps) were inactive. Morris (knee) and CB McDuffie (knee) got hurt in the first half, leaving Kansas City with a patchwork offensive line and without its best defensive back.

Houston plays the Cardinals next Sunday.

Kansas City plays the Chargers the same day.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles as Houston Texans defensive end Denico Autry, left, defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston Texans cornerback Ameer Speed (37) reacts to Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) missing a field goal attempt during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) is congratulated by teammate Jalen Pitre, left, after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale, right, scores past Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner during the second half of an NFL football game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)