Patrick Mahomes Injury Update: What Happened to Chiefs QB vs Chargers?

What happened to Patrick Mahomes became the central question late on December 14, when the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback left the Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a right knee injury.

Mahomes was hurt in the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium after a tackle from behind. He did not return, and the Chiefs went on to lose 16-13.

What happened to Patrick Mahomes during the fourth-quarter injury

The Patrick Mahomes injury occurred with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. The Chiefs quarterback was tackled from behind by Chargers defensive end Da’Shawn Hand while attempting to extend the play.

As Mahomes went down, his right leg appeared to be rolled up underneath him. He immediately reached for his right knee and stayed down on the field while Kansas City’s medical staff attended to him.

Mahomes was eventually helped to his feet but showed clear discomfort. He was seen hobbling to the sideline before entering the blue medical tent for further evaluation.

After several minutes, Mahomes exited the tent and was escorted toward the locker room by two Chiefs staff members. He put little weight on his right leg and did not attempt to return to the game.

The Chiefs did not provide an immediate diagnosis following the injury. The team confirmed only that Mahomes suffered a right knee injury and would not return.

Veteran backup Gardner Minshew replaced Mahomes for the final series. Minshew completed three of five passes for 22 yards but threw an interception to Chargers safety Derwin James with 14 seconds remaining.

The interception sealed the loss and officially eliminated Kansas City from postseason contention. The defeat dropped the Chiefs out of the AFC playoff race for the first time in Mahomes’ career as a full-time starter.

According to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press, Mahomes will undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the knee injury. No timetable for his return was announced as of Sunday evening.

What the Patrick Mahomes injury means for the Chiefs

The Patrick Mahomes injury immediately changes the outlook for Kansas City’s final weeks of the season. With playoff hopes gone, the team may take a cautious approach to his recovery.

Mahomes has been one of the league’s most durable quarterbacks, rarely missing time despite playing through minor injuries in past seasons. A knee issue, however, carries more long-term risk for a mobile quarterback.

Head coach Andy Reid did not offer specifics in his postgame comments. He said the team would wait for imaging results before making any decisions about Mahomes’ availability going forward.

If Mahomes misses time, Gardner Minshew is expected to take over starting duties. The Chiefs also have younger quarterbacks on the roster who could see snaps if the coaching staff prioritizes evaluation.

Beyond this season, the focus will be on ensuring Mahomes is fully healthy for offseason activities and training camp. Kansas City has built its franchise around him, and no unnecessary risks are expected.

The Patrick Mahomes injury update will remain a major storyline until the team releases official medical findings. For now, the Chiefs are preparing for the possibility of finishing the season without their star quarterback.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What happened to Patrick Mahomes in the Chargers game?

Patrick Mahomes injured his right knee after being tackled from behind late in the fourth quarter. He left the game and did not return.

Q2: What injury did Patrick Mahomes suffer?

The Chiefs listed the injury as a right knee issue. No further details were provided immediately after the game.

Q3: Did Patrick Mahomes return to the game vs the Chargers?

No. Mahomes was replaced by Gardner Minshew and stayed out for the remainder of the game.

Q4: How does the Patrick Mahomes injury affect the Chiefs?

The loss eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention. The team may prioritize Mahomes’ long-term health over a quick return.

Q5: When will the next Patrick Mahomes injury update be available?

The Chiefs are expected to provide more information after medical tests. Updates could come during the upcoming practice week.