Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the Chiefs’ Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 14, 2025, and will miss the rest of the 2025 NFL season as a result.
What happened in the game
Mahomes was injured late in the fourth quarter while scrambling out of the pocket against the Chargers; his left knee twisted awkwardly after a hit from Chargers defensive end Da’Shawn Hand. He was unable to walk off the field under his own power, needed help to get up, and was seen limping into the blue medical tent before being assisted into the locker room.
He did not return to the game, and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew took over for the final drive. The Chiefs lost 16–13, and that defeat officially eliminated them from playoff contention for the first time since 2014.
Official injury update
The Chiefs announced on Monday, December 15, that an MRI confirmed Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee. The team stated that Mahomes and the organization are currently exploring surgical options, but no specific timeline for surgery or return has been released yet.
Because of the ACL tear, Mahomes will be out for the remainder of the 2025 season and will miss Kansas City’s final three regular‑season games.
What this means going forward
With Mahomes out, veteran backup Gardner Minshew is expected to start at quarterback for the Chiefs in their upcoming games, beginning with the Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Mahomes posted a message on social media expressing his disappointment but vowing to come back stronger, thanking fans for their support and prayers.
This injury ends what was already a tough season for Mahomes and the Chiefs, who had struggled in close games and will now miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
