Patrick Mahomes Injury Update
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee during the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Chargers, sidelining the star QB for the rest of the 2025 season. Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) shared a critical injury update on X: An MRI confirmed QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in his left knee during today's game, with Patrick and the club now exploring surgical options.
That brutal hit came late in the game Chargers DE Da'Shawn Hand tackled him from behind as he rolled right to throw, hyperextending the knee in a way that had everyone wincing. Mahomes grabbed it immediately, got helped off by trainers, and yeah, the diagnosis hit hard: season over.
Surgery followed quick December 15, handled by Dr. Cooper, and the Chiefs confirmed it went smoothly. Rehab kicked off right away. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport dropped the timeline: 9-12 months out, pointing to a mid-September 2026 return at best. Insiders whisper it could linger, maybe eating into early games next year. Frustrating for a guy who's carried Kansas City to three Super Bowls. His post-injury social media post? Pure grit: "Don’t know why this had to happen... but all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day. Thank you Chiefs Kingdom."
Why Is Patrick Mahomes Not Playing Right Now?
Patrick Mahomes isn't playing because he's on injured reserve after that ACL tear, with the Chiefs officially shutting him down post-surgery no Week 17 miracle comeback here. Christmas Day against the Broncos? Forget it. The team placed him on IR December 17, ending any slim hopes for this dismal 6-8 season their first playoff miss since 2014. Farzin Vousoughian (@Farzin21) posted on X 3 hours ago, sharing a glimpse of the Mahomes family on Christmas: Patrick spotted for the first time since the injury, wearing a brace on his left knee.
Backup Gardner Minshew went down too, Week 16 knee injury (tibial plateau fracture, no ACL tear but still season-killing). So now it's practice squad call-up Chris Oladokun starting his first career nod after five pro snaps and Shane Buechele backing him up, re-signed from Buffalo's practice squad.
Oladokun's Week 16 relief stint vs. Titans? 11-of-16, 111 yards, no picks or scores. Solid enough, but man, replacing Mahomes feels like swapping a Ferrari for a reliable truck. Chiefs fans muttering about Travis Kelce's potential "farewell" home game without his longtime QB? Ouch. Adds salt to the wound on what could be Kelce's last Arrowhead stand amid retirement buzz.
When Will Patrick Mahomes Return?
Expect Patrick Mahomes back around mid-September 2026, though that 9-12 month recovery clock from surgery leaves room for early-season rust or delays. Rapoport's report nails it full rehab grind ahead, progress-dependent. He's attacked it aggressively already, but ACLs are no joke; remember his bro Jerry Tillery tore one last year and missed half the season.
Chiefs brass optimistic, but whispers say Weeks 1-2 of '26 might be dicey. No firm "first game back" yet depends on training camp vibes. In the meantime, Kansas City eyes a long offseason reset. Brutal timing after a rare down year, but Mahomes? Dude's built different. That "stronger than ever" vow feels real.
Patrick Mahomes Stats
Patrick Mahomes' 2025 line took a hit 6-8 record in 14 games, his roughest team-wise since entering the league. Still flashed MVP magic amid the chaos.
Quick stat snapshot:
| Stat | 2025 Numbers |
|---|---|
| Completions | 299-of-474 (63.1%) |
| Passing Yards | 3,398 |
| Touchdowns | 22 |
| Interceptions | 10 |
| Passer Rating | 91.1 |
Six-time Pro Bowler, sure, but those picks stung in tight spots. Rushing? Always a weapon, though numbers dipped with the knee nagging pre-injury. Compare to his peak it's night and day, but context matters: O-line issues, drops, that Week 15 dagger. Chiefs QB depth now? Oladokun leads, Buechele behind, Mahomes/Minshew on IR. Rough sledding vs. Broncos.
This mess caps a nightmare stretch playoff elimination, QB carousel. Chiefs Kingdom holds breath for '26, but Mahomes' track record screams bounce-back. Stay tuned; rehab updates will drop soon.
Disclaimer: The information provided is based on publicly available reports, league updates, and media sources at the time of writing. Injury timelines, recovery expectations, roster decisions, and player availability are subject to change depending on medical evaluations, team discretion, and official announcements. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, official team communication, or a guarantee of future performance or return dates.
