The Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) will play their second straight game without starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes when they face the Denver Broncos (12-3) on Christmas Day. It’s been a difficult stretch as the franchise continues to navigate the aftermath of a season-ending knee injury suffered by its best player.
Mahomes was injured late in the fourth quarter of Kansas City’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which ended Kansas City’s hopes of a playoff run. Mahomes attempted to extend a play outside the pocket before being spun down by Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.
The two-time league MVP immediately grabbed his left knee and remained on the ground before being helped off the field. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game after evaluation on the sideline.
Subsequent testing confirmed Mahomes suffered tears to the ACL and LCL in his left knee. The injury ended his 2025 season, and Mahomes underwent surgery shortly afterward, with the team announcing the procedure was successful.
Before the injury, Mahomes had a strong but, at times, shaky campaign amid the Chiefs’ uneven season. He finished the year with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 14 games while completing 62.7% of his passes. His performances kept Kansas City competitive in some games, even as defensive lapses and inconsistent run support contributed to losses.
Patrick Mahomes’ Return Timeline
Mahomes’ expected recovery timeline is approximately nine months, which places his potential return around the start of the 2026 NFL season, per Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder. There’s optimism that he could be available for Week 1.
Mahomes has already begun the rehabilitation process under team supervision (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).
The Chiefs plan to take a conservative approach, prioritizing full strength and stability over rushing his return.
With Kansas City missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2014 season, Mahomes’ recovery will be the organization’s central offseason focus as it prepares for 2026.
In Mahomes’ first game missed, the Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The quarterback situation worsened when former backup Gardner Minshew exited that game with a knee injury of his own, leaving Kansas City to rely on the inexperienced Chris Oladokun.
The Chiefs take on the Broncos at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday with live coverage on Amazon Prime Video.