Patrick Mahomes writhed in pain after taking a hit late in the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday, leading to Kansas City’s star quarterback having to be helped back to the team’s locker room with a left knee injury.
The injury was the icing on the cake on the day on which the Chiefs were also eliminated from the playoffs, snapping a streak of 10 consecutive seasons reaching the postseason.
Kansas City has three games left on its schedule for this season and Mahomes will not be under center for them after tearing his ACL, the team announced. The injury took place with less than two minutes left in Sunday’s game.
Patrick Mahomes suffered an apparent knee injury against the Chargers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectChiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Mahomes would have an MRI exam within the next 24 hours.
Reid wouldn’t speculate at the time if it was a serious injury, but did acknowledge that “it didn’t look good.”
“I mean, you guys saw it, we’ll just see where it goes,” Reid said.
Mahomes ended his day with 16 completions for 189 passing yards.
The Chiefs’ star had been scrambling and was looking to get rid of the ball, but as he did, Da’Shawn Hand was able to get enough of him up, and the Chiefs QB tumbled to the ground.
Mahomes immediately grabbed for his knee and looked to be in immense pain as he rolled on the ground.
Team trainers quickly came out to look at Mahomes, eventually coming off the field and needing to be helped down the team tunnel to the Chiefs’ locker room.
Gardner Minshew came in to finish out the game.
The 2025 season has been a strange one for the Chiefs and with wins from the Bills, Jaguars and Texans on Sunday, Kansas City’s hopes of making the playoffs came to an end.
“I can’t tell you I’m happy,” Reid said about his feelings after the loss. “It’s a tough deal there when you deal with that, but at the same time, we’ve got a few more games here we got to take care of.”
The Chiefs were also eliminated from postseason contention against the Chargers. Getty ImagesReid didn’t specifically address the idea of missing out on the playoffs when he was specifically asked about it following the loss.
It’s unknown territory for a team that was always a major dynasty threat, having appeared in five of the last six Super Bowls.
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The Chiefs entered Sunday 6-7, out of a playoff spot and in third place in the AFC West.
In the fourth quarter, they were only a field goal away from tying the Chargers, 16-13, but Mahomes threw an interception on his first drive of the quarter.
While on the Chargers’ 17-yard line, the three-time Super Bowl champ threw a deep pass intended for Kareem Hunt, but instead found the hands of Daiyan Henley at the one-yard line.
