Going into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs know what’s at stake. With a current record of 6-7, one win would keep their playoff hopes alive for the 11th consecutive season. However, a loss would keep them out of the playoffs for the first time since Mahomes joined the team with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs ultimately lost 16-13, but that wasn’t the biggest news of the day in Kansas City.
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That’s because Mahomes injured his left knee on the team’s final play, making way for Gardner Minshew’s first pass attempt of the season.
Minshew threw an interception on Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James at the end of the game, ending the Chiefs’ playoff hopes.
The bigger concern, however, is the condition of Mahomes’ knee. The Chiefs’ All-Pro quarterback went down after a hit from Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand, but he still held on to his knee.
Mahomes had to be escorted back to the locker room by the Chiefs staff, who supported him every step of the way. No further injury diagnosis has been made at this time.
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Not only is this the first time Mahomes has missed the postseason, but in his eight years as a starter, his Chiefs have never been eliminated before the AFC Championship Game. Now, as they start thinking about the 2026 season, they have to hope that Mahomes’ knee doesn’t bring any lingering concerns.
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