Patrick Mahomes injury update: Chiefs QB has torn ACL, vows to return 'stronger than ever' after surgery

Patrick Mahomes sustained a left knee injury in the Kansas City Chiefs' 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and departed from the game with 1:53 remaining. An MRI later on Sunday confirmed that the superstar quarterback sustained a torn ACL in that knee, the team announced, and Mahomes and the team are exploring surgical options for the season-ending injury.

The injury occurred while Mahomes was rolling out toward the sideline and throwing the ball downfield. A Chargers defender pulled him to the ground during the throw, and his leg bent awkwardly as he lost his footing.

"Don't know why this had to happen," Mahomes said on social media. "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 ⏰"

Mahomes remained down on the field for multiple minutes while trainers examined his leg. He was in clear discomfort and removed his helmet before rising to his feet and walking into the medical tent. Trainers then helped him walk up the tunnel and into the locker room.

"I don't know, but it doesn't look good," Reid said of the severity of Mahomes' injury before an MRI revealed the ligament damage. "You guys saw it. We'll just see where it goes."

The Chiefs trailed, 16-13, when Mahomes left the contest. He completed 16 of 28 passes for 189 yards without a touchdown, and he threw one interception and took five sacks. Mahomes did find the end zone with his legs, however, and took two carries for 15 yards and a touchdown. Gardner Minshew closed the game in relief of Mahomes and could not deliver a game-tying or go-ahead score.

While Mahomes figures to miss the majority of the offseason as he works through his recovery and rehab processes, CBS Sports injury analyst Marty Jaramillo said the timelines bode favorably for the Chiefs to have their quarterback at full strength for the 2026 season opener and beyond.

"The average ACL rehab is approximately 6-8 months," Jaramillo said on CBS Sports HQ. "He will miss OTAs, which come around March. But he'd be actually almost jogging by OTAs. So I have zero concerns short-term. He will have surgery within the next 48 hours. That's the best window to do that. And he will have no long-term concerns."

Patrick Mahomes injury clouds Chiefs' outlook for 2025 and beyond

With the loss and the results in other games on Sunday, the Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention. Kansas City faced a number of elimination scenarios entering Week 15, and a string of results occurred in the early window to dash its postseason homes. The loss to the Chargers, combined with the Jaguars' win over the Jets, the Bills' win over the Patriots and the Texans' win over the Cardinals triggered a nightmare outcome for the Chiefs, who will watch the playoffs from home for the first time since 2014.

The 10-year playoff streak was the second longest in NFL history behind the Patriots' 11-year run from 2009-19. This is thus the first time in Mahomes' nine-year career that he will not participate in the postseason.

With this appearing to be the end of the line for Mahomes in 2025, it could conclude a golden era of Chiefs football. Kansas City will await a decision this offseason from tight end Travis Kelce as he decides whether to continue playing or to enter retirement. The Mahomes-Kelce era marked one of the all-time great quarterback-tight end pairings and produced nine AFC West titles, five AFC crowns and three Super Bowl championships.