The Kansas City Chiefs played their Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and it was nail-biting. The Chiefs fell short by three points, losing 16-13 to the Chargers. But the game was not the only thing they lost.
Kansas City’s star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, was severely injured in the match with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter. By that time, all hope was already lost in the game. It is the first season since 2014 that the team has not qualified for the playoffs. Here’s everything about the NFL’s leading quarterback.
How Was Patrick Mahomes Injured Against the Chargers?
Mahomes was at the line of scrimmage when defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand attempted to tackle him. The tackle was executed well, but it appeared that Mahomes’ knees buckled as he rolled to the right.
The quarterback clutched his knee and could be seen in intense pain. Staffers immediately rushed to the field and carried him to the medical tent for further treatment. From there, he was brought into the locker room with a towel over his head.
Head coach Andy Reid soon addressed the situation and shared discouraging updates with the media. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. Reid said the injury “didn’t look good,” and Mahomes will undergo an MRI on Monday.
How Long Will It Take for Mahomes To Return?
The typical timeline for an ACL recovery is six to 12 months. In a high-impact sport like the NFL, it usually takes at least nine months to return to full capacity. It is safe to say Mahomes will likely miss a significant portion of the 2026 regular season while recovering.
The quarterback’s performance in the game was decent. He went 16 for 28 for 189 yards, with two carries for 15 yards and a touchdown. In Mahomes’ absence, Gardner Minshew will serve as the Chiefs’ backup quarterback. While fans are disheartened, Mahomes also expressed his heartbreak.
Mahomes posted his thoughts on X, writing, “Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back stronger than ever.”
Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts. But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be back…
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 14, 2025
It is encouraging to see Mahomes find light even in dark times. He was ranked 12th in PFSN’s QB Impact metric, with a score of 77.6. However, this injury could change the Chiefs’ trajectory and focus heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Will the team pursue a backup quarterback if the opportunity arises?
READ MORE:Â 2026 3-Round NFL Mock Draft: Browns Build Around Shedeur Sanders, While 4 Ohio State Stars Go Early
Only time will tell what comes next for the Chiefs. Until then, fans will be watching and waiting for the MRI results.
