Chiefs Officially Place Patrick Mahomes on Injured Reserve Following Surgery
The inevitable became official on Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City. The Chiefs have placed franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Reserve/Injured, formally ending a tumultuous 2025 campaign that saw the defending AFC champions eliminated from playoff contention. The move comes just days after Mahomes suffered a significant knee injury during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the move was expected following the initial diagnosis, the transaction marks a somber turning point for a franchise that has defined NFL excellence for the better part of a decade. The transaction wire on Tuesday and Wednesday has been busy for General Manager Brett Veach as the team looks to restructure its roster for the final three games of the regular season against the Titans, Broncos and Raiders.
Roster Shuffles and Defensive Line Depth
In a corresponding move to fill the roster spot vacated by Mahomes, the Chiefs signed practice squad defensive tackle Zacch Pickens to an active roster contract. Pickens provides immediate depth to a defensive front that will need to carry a heavier load with the offense transitioning to a backup quarterback.
The team also made moves to bolster the practice squad, signing wide receiver Jimmy Holiday. Holiday adds speed and special teams versatility to the scout team as Kansas City looks to evaluate young talent down the stretch.
Perhaps the most intriguing news for the long-term outlook of the roster involves two players returning from injury. The Chiefs designated tight end Jake Briningstool and cornerback Nazeeh Johnson to return to practice. Both players were placed on injured reserve at the start of the season. This designation opens a 21-day practice window during which the team can evaluate their health and decide whether to activate them to the 53-man roster. For a team now looking toward 2026, getting a look at these young assets in a practice setting is a crucial step in their evaluation process.
Medical Details and Recovery Timeline
The specifics of Mahomes’ injury were clarified by Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder. According to Burkholder, a Sunday night MRI confirmed a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and a torn Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) in Mahomes’ left knee.
Mahomes wasted no time addressing the issue. He traveled to Dallas for a second opinion with Dr. Dan Cooper, the renowned orthopedic surgeon who has treated numerous high-profile athletes. Dr. Cooper performed the surgical repair earlier this week.
The medical report offered a sliver of optimism in an otherwise bleak situation. Burkholder noted that no additional damage was found in the knee beyond the ligament tears. The recovery expectation is currently set at nine months. However, Burkholder qualified that timeline, suggesting it could be a month or two less depending on rehabilitation, or potentially a month or two longer.
Burkholder expressed confidence in his quarterback’s approach to the grueling road ahead. He told reporters that he expects Mahomes to attack his rehab with the same intensity he has applied to previous injuries. If the nine-month timeline holds true, Mahomes would be looking at a return around the start of the 2026 regular season, putting his availability for training camp in question.
The Human Element of a Lost Season
The clinical nature of roster moves and medical timelines often obscures the human element of the sport. For Mahomes, this injury serves as a bitter capstone to his most difficult professional season. The three-time Super Bowl MVP was visibly frustrated following the injury against the Chargers, a game that sealed the Chiefs’ elimination from the postseason.
Mahomes took to social media to express his feelings, admitting the situation “hurts” but affirming his faith and determination to return. “All we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again,” Mahomes wrote. “I Will be back stronger than ever.”
His teammates are feeling the weight of the moment as well. Tight end Travis Kelce, speaking on his New Heights podcast, addressed the injury and the team’s elimination. The abrupt end to their season has fueled speculation regarding Kelce’s future and potential retirement, though the tight end indicated he is focused on finishing out the current schedule. The bond between quarterback and tight end has been the heartbeat of this dynasty, and seeing that connection severed by injury has cast a pall over the organization.
Quarterback Contingency Plans
With Mahomes officially sidelined, the offense now belongs to Gardner Minshew. The veteran journeyman, who signed with Kansas City in the offseason, stepped in during the final moments of the Chargers game. He will now have a three-game audition to lead Andy Reid’s offense.
To provide depth behind Minshew, the team is making adjustments at the quarterback position. Reports indicate that Chris Oladokun will be elevated from the practice squad to serve as the backup quarterback for this week’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Oladokun has been in the Chiefs’ system since 2022 and is familiar with the playbook, providing a safety net should Minshew go down.
End of an Era or Just a Pause?
The placement of Patrick Mahomes on injured reserve is more than just a transaction. It signifies the definitive end of the Chiefs’ current run of dominance. For the first time since Mahomes took over as the starter, the road to the Super Bowl will not go through Arrowhead Stadium. In fact, the Chiefs will not even be on the road.
The 2025 season has been defined by struggles. Mahomes finishes the year with 3,398 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a completion percentage of 63.1 percent. These numbers, while respectable for many starters, represent a drop-off for a player who has set the standard for the position.
As Kansas City plays out the string against Tennessee, Denver and Las Vegas, the focus shifts entirely to evaluation and recovery. The dynasty may not be dead, but it is certainly broken. The offseason will be dominated by questions about Mahomes’ knee, Kelce’s future and how General Manager Brett Veach can rebuild a roster that finally buckled under the weight of its own expectations.
The Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in years, they are playing games that do not impact the playoff race. The focus is now on 2026, and that future rests entirely on the surgically repaired left knee of Patrick Mahomes.
