Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes exited Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers with an apparent left knee injury, prompting immediate concern from medical experts about the potential severity and its implications for the star player’s future. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Mahomes, scrambling left with the ball, was tackled from behind by Chargers defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand, causing his knee to hyperextend awkwardly as he fell.
Sports medicine physician Dr. Jesse Morse, an NFL injury expert, provided a detailed breakdown of the play on social media platform X, describing it as a “left knee sprain” involving hyperextension that could stress multiple ligaments. “Hyperextended – often PCL is stressed,” Morse wrote, referring to the posterior cruciate ligament. He noted initial forces to the lateral knee, potentially affecting the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and posterolateral corner, with an “outside chance the ACL is impacted.” Morse added there was “a little medial stress (MCL) at the end,” implicating the medial collateral ligament.
Morse expressed optimism that Mahomes would be evaluated in the locker room and “hopefully everything checks out,” but raised a pointed question about the 30-year-old quarterback’s status given the Chiefs’ elimination from playoff contention: “With the Chiefs out of the playoffs, I wonder if Mahomes gets shut down for the rest of the year.” This perspective aligns with broader concerns, as Mahomes was seen clutching his knee on the sideline before being helped to the medical tent and later the locker room, replaced by backup Gardner Minshew.
The Chiefs, who entered the game with slim postseason hopes, saw their season effectively end with the defeat, dropping their record to 6-8. Team officials confirmed postgame that Mahomes is undergoing further evaluation, with no immediate update on the injury’s extent. If Morse’s assessment holds, a multi-ligament strain could sideline Mahomes for weeks or longer, depending on the grade of the sprains—ranging from mild (Grade 1) to severe tears requiring surgery (Grade 3).
Video analysis of the play shows Mahomes planting his left leg while evading pressure, only for Hand’s low tackle to roll into the back of his knee, forcing it into hyperextension. Such mechanisms are common in non-contact or low-impact knee injuries but can lead to complex damage, especially for a mobile quarterback like Mahomes, who has a history of ankle and knee issues in prior seasons.
Patrick Mahomes
Left knee sprain
Hyperextended – often PCL is stressed.
Initial forces to lateral knee (LCL + posterolateral corner) but outside chance the ACL is impacted.
There’s a little medial stress (MCL) at the end.
I expect him to get checked out in the locker… pic.twitter.com/uFEkN0RjCU
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) December 14, 2025
Fan and analyst reactions on X echoed Morse’s caution, with some calling for the Chiefs to prioritize Mahomes’ long-term health over the remaining meaningless games. One reply to Morse’s post suggested resting him entirely for 2026, citing the need for offensive line improvements. Others speculated on more dire outcomes, like a possible ACL tear, though no confirmation has emerged.
As the NFL world awaits MRI results, expected in the coming days, Morse’s early insight underscores the precarious nature of knee injuries in football—potentially career-altering if not managed carefully. For the Chiefs, already facing questions about their offensive struggles this season, Mahomes’ health remains paramount heading into an uncertain offseason.
