Patrick Mahomes sustained a significant knee injury during Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers, and the situation seems to be worse than initially believed.
Reports indicate that the Chiefs’ quarterback not only tore his ACL but also his LCL. NFL Network noted that the additional injury could “complicate recovery” although it probably won’t alter the expected nine-month recovery timeline.
The team confirmed that Mahomes, now 30, underwent surgery on Monday to repair his torn left ACL, but they did not mention the LCL injury in their announcement.
The Chiefs stated on X, “Patrick Mahomes underwent successful surgery tonight in Dallas to repair a torn left ACL under Dr. Dan Cooper,” adding that he would begin rehabilitation immediately.
This revelation follows a claim by Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who suggested that an initial MRI showed no additional major damage to Mahomes’ ligaments.
The torn LCL might not hinder Mahomes’ rehab protocol; however, it does highlight the severity of the injury he experienced in Week 15.
Mahomes’ injury effectively ended the Chiefs’ season during a 16-13 home loss to the Chargers, taking the defending AFC champions out of playoff contention.
He was clearly in distress and required assistance to leave the field, with a towel draped over his face.
This incident marks a significant injury in Mahomes’ career, yet he remains optimistic about using this setback as motivation for his recovery.
In a post on X, Mahomes expressed, “I don’t know why this had to happen. And I’m not going to lie, I’m hurt. But all we can do now is trust in God and attack again and again every day. Thank you to the Chiefs Kingdom for always supporting me, reaching out, and sending prayers. I will come back stronger than ever.”
While there’s no reason to doubt Mahomes’ potential to bounce back to elite form, this injury does present challenges for both him and the team as they look to regroup in the future.
This year marks the first time since Mahomes became the starting quarterback in 2018 that the team will miss the playoffs, ending what had been a decade-long streak.
Additionally, it’s possible that Travis Kelce, Mahomes’ longtime teammate, may be contemplating retirement, indicating that the team may have to make significant adjustments moving forward.
With Mahomes out, Gardner Minshew filled in on Sunday, throwing a game-clinching interception. He is set to start for the final three games, beginning with a matchup against the struggling Titans in Week 16.
Moreover, the Chiefs might need to look for a solid backup quarterback in case of any setbacks during Mahomes’ recovery, assuring that he will be ready for the start of the 2026 season.
