Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has begun his lengthy rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, and the team is optimistic the two-time MVP will return in time for the start of next season, perhaps even before Kansas City’s opener.
Rick Burkholder, vice president of sports medicine and performance, said Wednesday that the procedure performed Monday evening in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper went well. The surgery came about 24 hours after Mahomes tore his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The wish for Mahomes and the Chiefs is that the quarterback is reinstated for the first game of the next campaign.
The rehabilitation time for such an injury is approximately nine months, but it can vary by several months depending on various factors. Next season is scheduled to begin on September 10, 2026, and the Chiefs could play their first game a few days later.
“Every player is different. Every sport is different. Every position is different, Burkholder said. “He (Mahomes) is so in tune with what he’s doing that he does it a little faster. Recovery time can be estimated at nine months, but it could be a month or two more, or a month or two less. »
The loss to the Chargers eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention, ending a 10-year streak. They had also won the last nine AFC West titles, reached the last seven conference championship games and played in the last three Super Bowls.
It is therefore reserve quarterback Gardner Minshew who will be the starting quarterback for the Chiefs’ last three games, starting Sunday against the Titans in Tennessee.
“You have to bounce back quickly after a very emotional game, and obviously the situation with ‘Pat,’ the situation with our team’s chances (to participate) in the playoffs,” he said. But you know what? We are where we are. We have to turn things around and get a victory this weekend. »
The Chiefs could lose several big names, in addition to their star quarterback.
Rashee Rice and teammate Tyquan Thornton are in the concussion protocol after suffering hard tackles in the game against the Chargers, while left tackle Jaylon Moore is out with a knee injury and right tackle Jawaan Taylor is out with an elbow issue.
On defense, cornerback Trent McDuffie is still suffering from a knee injury, and linebacker Leo Chenal is bothered by a shoulder problem.
None of these players practiced Wednesday.
