NEWS
Patrick Mahomes Undergoes knee Surgery, Begins Rehabilitation After Torn ACL
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent successful surgery Monday evening in Dallas to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, the team announced, beginning what will be a long road to recovery.
The procedure – performed just one day after Mahomes suffered the injury late in Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers – was carried out by Dr. Dan Cooper, a respected orthopedist and the head team physician for the Dallas Cowboys. Mahomes is already starting his rehabilitation process.
The injury occurred in the closing minutes of the Week 15 game when Mahomes’ left knee was twisted as he attempted to extend a play, forcing him out of the contest and effectively ending the Chiefs’ season. The loss also ended Kansas City’s 10-year streak of playoff appearances, the longest active run in the NFL.
Additional Ligament Damage Reported
While the team’s official statement focused on the ACL repair, multiple league sources confirmed that Mahomes also had a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) that was addressed during the same surgery, adding complexity to his recovery.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport and other reporters noted that both ligaments were repaired in the procedure. Despite this, early evaluations suggest that the combined injury is not expected to extend Mahomes’ overall recovery timeline significantly beyond typical expectations for ACL reconstruction.
Recovery Timeline and Outlook
Officials and medical analysts say the typical rehabilitation timeline for a torn ACL is around nine months, which would put Mahomes on track to return during the 2026 season, though exact timing will depend on his response to rehab and conditioning progress.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed confidence in Mahomes’ mindset, noting the quarterback’s competitive drive and commitment to the recovery process. Mahomes, who has been a three-time Super Bowl champion and MVP, addressed fans on social media, thanking them for their support and pledging to “come back stronger.”
Chiefs Facing the Future Without Mahomes
With Mahomes sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 season and possibly into the early part of 2026, the Chiefs will lean on backup quarterback Gardner Minshew to finish out the schedule. The team’s front office and coaching staff must also begin planning for life without their franchise leader for an extended period.
The injury and surgery mark a major moment in Mahomes’ career, as he seeks to return from what is widely considered one of the toughest injuries in professional sports. Yet his early start to rehabilitation and supportive statements from teammates and rivals alike suggest that optimism remains high within the Chiefs organization and fan base.
