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Patrick Mahomes undergoes surgery to repair ACL day after injury
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- Patrick Mahomes undergoes surgery to repair ACL day after injury
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery to repair his torn left ACL on Dec. 15 in Dallas , Texas, the team said.
Dr. Dan Cooper, an orthopedic surgeon based in Dallas, performed the surgery. Cooper specializes in knee and shoulder injuries for the Carrell Clinic, based in Texas.
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Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said earlier Dec. 15 that Mahomes was seeking a second opinion in the Dallas area. The Chiefs said Mahomes will begin his rehab immediately. The three-time Super Bowl winner will have roughly nine months to prepare for Week 1 of the 2026 season.
ESPN reported that Cooper also repaired Mahomes' torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
Mahomes suffered the injury on Dec. 14 as the Chiefs lost to the Los Angeles Chargers at home, which knocked them out of playoff contention . The two-time MVP was tackled from behind by Chargers defensive end Da'Shawn Hand . Mahomes immediately reached for his left knee after being rolled up from behind as Kansas City 's medical staff immediately tended to him.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs and Chargers players take a knee following an injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second from right, watches.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second from right, stands on the sideline.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Troy Dye (43) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025..
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) rushes against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025..
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh breaks up a confrontation between safety Tony Jefferson (23) and the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Jefferson was subsequently ejected.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (80) during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) falls to the ground after being tackled against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with cornerback Donte Jackson (26) and linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) following an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh shake hands following a Chargers victory at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) talks with Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) following a Chargers victory at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs and Chargers players take a knee following an injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second from right, watches.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is attended to by team medical staff following an injury during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, second from right, stands on the sideline.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Troy Dye (43) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025..
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) rushes against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reacts to a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Dec 14, 2025..
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh breaks up a confrontation between safety Tony Jefferson (23) and the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Jefferson was subsequently ejected.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (80) during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) falls to the ground after being tackled against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with cornerback Donte Jackson (26) and linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) following an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, left, and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh shake hands following a Chargers victory at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
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Kansas City Chiefs' playoff chances end with Patrick Mahomes injury
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) talks with Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) following a Chargers victory at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
(Jay Biggerstaff, Imagn Images)
He eventually walked off under his own power but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters that the initial prognosis did not "look good."
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Gardner Minshew replaced Mahomes and purports to be Kansas City's starter for the final three games of the season.
Contributing: Jacob Camenker
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
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(Peter Casey, Imagn Images)
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
(Peter Casey, Imagn Images)
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Patrick Mahomes injury updates: Chiefs QB undergoes surgery on ACL
