Patrick Mahomes’ brutal knee injury against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday is more severe than initially reported, leaving Kansas City Chiefs fans and NFL observers reeling.
According to the New York Post, the NFL Network reported that the star quarterback not only tore his ACL but also suffered a tear to his Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).
While the LCL injury complicates recovery, it “doesn’t necessarily” change the projected nine-month timetable for Mahomes’ return.
Mahomes, 30, underwent surgery Monday in Dallas, the team announced, to repair the torn ACL. “Patrick Mahomes successfully underwent surgery in Dallas this evening with Dr. Dan Cooper to repair the tear in his left ACL,” the Chiefs wrote on X. “Mahomes will begin his rehab process immediately.”
The franchise did not mention the LCL tear, and coach Andy Reid had previously claimed that an MRI showed no other significant ligament damage.
The injury came late in the 16-13 home loss to the Chargers, a game that eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention and ended their streak of three consecutive AFC titles.
Mahomes was visibly in pain, needing assistance to leave the field, and covered his face with a towel.
“This hurts,” Mahomes wrote on X. “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.”
Despite the setback, there is no reason to believe Mahomes cannot return to elite form.
The injury raises questions about Kansas City’s future. This season marked the first time Mahomes has missed the playoffs since becoming the starter in 2018. With tight end Travis Kelce considering retirement and the offense underperforming, the Chiefs may need to retool.
Backup Gardner Minshew, who replaced Mahomes Sunday and threw the game-sealing interception, will start the remaining games, including Week 16 against the lowly Tennessee Titans.
The team may also have to invest in a strong backup quarterback in case Mahomes’ recovery hits setbacks, as the nine-month window puts him right against the start of the 2026 season.
Mahomes’ resilience and determination will be crucial in the months ahead as he faces both physical and organizational challenges in returning to the field.
