12/14/25 04:15:00
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12/14 16:13 CST Patrick Mahomes injures left knee as Chiefs eliminated from
playoffs with loss to Chargers
Patrick Mahomes injures left knee as Chiefs eliminated from playoffs with loss
to Chargers
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) --- Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hurt his left knee
while trying to keep his team's postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of
a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and Kansas City coach Andy
Reid acknowledged afterward "it did not look good."
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 the two-time MVP 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," 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."
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