Patrick Mahomes Is Injured as Chiefs Miss NFL Playoffs for First Time in 10 Years

NEED TO KNOW

• Patrick Mahomes was injured in the final moments of the Kansas City Chiefs' loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14
• The quarterback fell to the field clutching his left knee in the final two minutes of the game
• The loss knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs for the first time in 10 years

Patrick Mahomes added injury to insult during the Kansas City Chiefs' disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

As the 30-year-old quarterback attempted to secure a touchdown and a win for the Chiefs in the final two minutes of their game on Sunday, Dec. 14, Mahomes was tackled after throwing an incomplete pass and fell to the field grabbing his left knee in apparent pain.

The NFL star stayed on the ground as the Chiefs' medical staff ran out to check on him, and as his teammates took a knee, waiting to see how he was doing. Mahomes was then helped off the field.

His backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, replaced Mahomes and soon after threw an interception, ending the game and the Chiefs' playoff hopes. With the loss, they are officially eliminated from postseason contention, and won't get a chance to avenge their loss in the 2025 Super Bowl.

This will mark the first time the Chiefs will miss the playoffs in 10 years, and the first time Mahomes has missed the playoffs in his career.

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said after the game that Mahomes will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his injury, with Reid adding that "it didn't look good," according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter.

The loss also marked possibly the last meaningful game of Mahomes' close friend and prolific teammate Travis Kelce, who may retire at the end of this season.

Mahomes recently told reporters the possibility of Kelce's retirement has been on his mind this season. "Every season I've had with him these last few years, I try to cherish because you never know [if this will be Kelce’s last season]," Mahomes said after their loss on Dec. 7.

Read the original article on People