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12/14 19:33 CST Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he's
considering surgical options
Patrick Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and Chiefs say he's considering surgical
options
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) --- Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee while
trying to keep the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason hopes alive in the waning
seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and the team
said the star quarterback was considering surgical options.
It's the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes,
a two-time MVP who has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached
the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas
City's starter.
This year, the Chiefs won't even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won't be back
on the field until sometime in 2026.
"Don't know why this had to happen," Mahomes posted on social media before the
diagnosis was announced. "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."
The Chiefs had just crossed midfield with less than two minutes to go when
Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline, then tried to get rid of the
ball. He was spun to the ground upon release by Chargers defensive lineman
Da'Shawn Hand, and he immediately grabbed at his left knee while trainers
converged on him.
Mahomes was eventually helped to the blue injury tent on the sideline, but he
only stayed there for a few moments. He soon emerged with staff members on
either side of him, limping toward the locker room with a white towel draped
over his head.
"He will get an MRI tomorrow or this evening," coach Andy Reid said, "whenever
we can."
Gardner Minshew entered the game and completed three straight passes to give
the Chiefs a chance. But he was picked off by Derwin James on a jump ball
intended for Travis Kelce with 14 seconds remaining, sealing the Chargers'
season sweep of Kansas City.
"I hate the situation. I hate that I couldn't deliver the win and keep our
hopes alive," Minshew said.
The loss, along with wins by Jacksonville, Buffalo and Houston, eliminated the
defending AFC champs from playoff contention.
"It's very frustrating, man. It's been hard to watch for Pat, a dude that puts
so much into it," Minshew said. "I've never seen someone give so much of
themselves to the team. I have confidence in him and his ability to come back
better than ever."
Chiefs banged up everywhere The injury to Mahomes, who threw for just 189 yards with an interception, was merely the latest --- and perhaps most severe --- in a series of setbacks that had turned what had been one of the NFL's best offenses for the better part of a decade into a shadow of itself. Kansas City started the game with left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve with a fractured wrist, backup Wanya Morris out with a knee injury, right tackle Trey Smith inactive with an ankle injury and right tackle Jawaan Taylor dealing with a triceps injury. Backup right tackle Jaylon Moore hurt his knee during the game, too, leaving journeyman Esa Pole and Chukwuebuka Godrick --- an international pathway player who had never appeared in an NFL game --- to protect Mahomes down the stretch. The Chiefs also were missing Marquise Brown, who was inactive while dealing with a family matter, and fellow wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who was crushed by Chargers cornerback Tony Jefferson after a 20-yard catch and was evaluated for a concussion. Another receiver, Xavier Worthy, missed part of the game while clearing the concussion protocol. It hasn't just been the Chiefs' offense where the injuries have mounted. They began the game without Trent McDuffie, who was inactive with a knee injury. Then in a span of three straight plays, they lost linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Jaylen Watson, though each of them eventually returned. "We have a lot of guys who are very resilient in our locker room," Jones said. "We all knew what was at stake. We all wanted to be part of this game. We were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, we didn't get the outcome we hoped for, but everyone battled." ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Chiefs banged up everywhere The injury to Mahomes, who threw for just 189 yards with an interception, was merely the latest --- and perhaps most severe --- in a series of setbacks that had turned what had been one of the NFL's best offenses for the better part of a decade into a shadow of itself. Kansas City started the game with left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve with a fractured wrist, backup Wanya Morris out with a knee injury, right tackle Trey Smith inactive with an ankle injury and right tackle Jawaan Taylor dealing with a triceps injury. Backup right tackle Jaylon Moore hurt his knee during the game, too, leaving journeyman Esa Pole and Chukwuebuka Godrick --- an international pathway player who had never appeared in an NFL game --- to protect Mahomes down the stretch. The Chiefs also were missing Marquise Brown, who was inactive while dealing with a family matter, and fellow wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who was crushed by Chargers cornerback Tony Jefferson after a 20-yard catch and was evaluated for a concussion. Another receiver, Xavier Worthy, missed part of the game while clearing the concussion protocol. It hasn't just been the Chiefs' offense where the injuries have mounted. They began the game without Trent McDuffie, who was inactive with a knee injury. Then in a span of three straight plays, they lost linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Jaylen Watson, though each of them eventually returned. "We have a lot of guys who are very resilient in our locker room," Jones said. "We all knew what was at stake. We all wanted to be part of this game. We were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, we didn't get the outcome we hoped for, but everyone battled." ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
