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

Patrick Mahomes injured as Chiefs are eliminated from playoffs

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Dec 14, 2025 4:33 PM ET

As if the Kansas City Chiefs' season couldn't get any worse, a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs also featured an injury to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes was injured on the first play after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. The Texas Tech product held his knee and appeared to be in pain before he was helped back to the locker room, and perhaps most importantly, he did not walk back to the locker room under his own power.

Patrick Mahomes was helped to the locker room after leaving the field.

( CBS) pic.twitter.com/mPvjdlMZRJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 14, 2025

Back on the field, meanwhile, backup QB Gardner Minshew, who had yet to attempt a pass this season before Sunday afternoon, led the Chiefs into LA territory before throwing a game-ending interception to Derwin James.

Chiefs will miss playoffs for first time since 2014

With the loss, the Chiefs (6-8) are eliminated from playoff contention and will miss the postseason for the first time since 2014. Wins from the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, coupled with the Chiefs' loss, officially knocked Kansas City out of the playoffs.

The loss and Mahomes' injury bring an unofficial end to a season that has seen the Chiefs suffer through a Super Bowl hangover. Kansas City has now lost five of six and could have to go through the final three games of the season without Mahomes under center.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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