Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes exited the field with a noticeable limp following a severe leg injury during the closing moments of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With under two minutes remaining on December 14, Mahomes, 30, was tackled awkwardly near the sideline, immediately clutching his left knee in visible distress.
The incident appeared to cause his knee to buckle. Medical staff rushed to his aid, and after several tense minutes, he was assisted off the field and into the medical tent.
Subsequently, he was seen being helped to the locker room, unable to return to the game.
In his limited time on the field, Mahomes recorded 189 passing yards and one interception, alongside a rushing touchdown.
Gardner Minshew, 29, stepped in as Mahomes' replacement and concluded the game, but an interception thrown by Minshew sealed the Chiefs' fate.
As a seven-year NFL veteran, Minshew is poised to lead the team for the remaining three games of the season if Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP, is sidelined due to this injury.
The Chiefs' 16-13 defeat marked their first playoff elimination in 11 seasons, a stark contrast to their recent dominance that included three Super Bowl victories in five years, with back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed Mahomes' condition post-game, indicating that an MRI was scheduled for Sunday night or Monday.
“I don’t know,” Reid remarked regarding the injury's severity. “But it didn’t look good. We’ll see where it goes.”
Mahomes had been managing a knee issue for several weeks but had not missed any games until this incident.
“I feel like I’ve played a football season,” Mahomes stated on December 10 during an interview. “Everybody’s kind of banged up and has their things here and there, but I’ll be ready to go. I’m excited to get back out there and do whatever I can to get back in a better mindset of winning.”
He was listed on the injury report prior to last week’s Sunday Night Football game against the Houston Texans but was cleared to play in both that matchup and this week’s contest.
“That’s what it’s all about, especially at the quarterback position,” he explained. “If the guys are going to sacrifice their bodies to block for you, you have to be able to sacrifice your body as well. It’s two teams fighting to win a football game. I’m sure it’ll be a great battle.”
Before Sunday’s game, Mahomes emphasized the critical nature of the matchup, acknowledging the do-or-die situation for the Chiefs.
“We understand that we have to win,” he said earlier in the week. “That’s obvious. You gotta win the football game. Whatever it takes. You’re in a back-against-the-wall type spot against a team you’re chasing that has a big lead in front of you.”
