How long is Patrick Mahomes out? Latest updates, recovery time on Chiefs QB after left knee injury

The Kansas City Chiefs' season ended on Sunday, as the team was eliminated from playoff contention against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Maybe more importantly, quarterback Patrick Mahomes had to leave the game before it ended. Mahomes went down late in the fourth quarter, as his left knee was twisted while trying to throw the ball away near the sidelines.

Mahomes is down and holding his left knee in pain pic.twitter.com/3FQMnWl4f5

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025

While Gardner Minshew finished the game, Mahomes limped off the field and into the locker room.

Mahomes being helped off into the locker room pic.twitter.com/jrOG1qHL23

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025

Here's the latest on how much time Mahomes could miss.

MORE CHIEFS NEWS: 

• Six reasons why the Chiefs never got over Super Bowl hangover
• Patrick Mahomes suffers knee injury on final drive of Chiefs-Chargers
• Chiefs officially eliminated from NFL playoffs with loss to Chargers

How long is Patrick Mahomes out?

With the Chiefs officially out of the playoffs, it's possible that Mahomes has played his last down of the year. Even if he is able to return this season, Kansas City has just three games left in the year and no incentive to play Mahomes the rest of the way.

Mahomes needed assistance making his way into the locker room, a sign that the injury may keep him out for a bit. After the game, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the gravity of the situation, but didn't have much more information.

"It didn't look good, I mean, you guys saw it," Reid said.

Reid added that Mahomes will have an MRI on his knee on Monday to get a diagnosis on the injury. Kansas City plays the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders to end the year.

Torn ACL recovery timeline

If the MRI concludes that Mahomes tore his ACL, then he will be out for the rest of the season and in danger of missing the start of next year. A torn ACL typically requires a recovery time of 9-12 months, depending on the severity of the injury,

While Mahomes has dealt with some injuries in his career, a torn ACL would be by far his most serious since joining the NFL.

Chiefs schedule 2025