Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, but reports of additional damage to his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) have raised serious questions about his readiness for the 2026 NFL season.
Patrick Mahomes ACL Surgery Reveals Additional LCL Tear: Major Concerns for Chiefs’ 2026 Season
The three-time Super Bowl MVP suffered the devastating injury in the closing moments of the Chiefs’ 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, a defeat that officially eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention and capped a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Patrick Mahomes Faces Complicated Recovery After Dual Ligament Tears
The Chiefs announced that Mahomes had surgery in Dallas performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ team doctor.
“Patrick Mahomes successfully underwent surgery in Dallas this evening with Dr. Dan Cooper to repair the tear in his left ACL,” the team stated. “Mahomes will begin his rehab process immediately.”[1]
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Mahomes also tore his LCL, complicating the recovery process. While the additional tear “can complicate recovery,” sources indicate it “doesn’t necessarily” extend beyond the standard nine-month timetable for an isolated ACL repair.[2]
A typical ACL recovery spans 9-12 months, potentially putting Patrick Mahomes’ availability for the 2026 season opener—scheduled around early September—in doubt. If the LCL damage involves more extensive issues, the timeline could lengthen further.[3]
Implications for Mahomes and the Chiefs in 2026
The dual ligament injury comes at a challenging time for the Chiefs, who finished the 2025 season amid struggles, including offensive line issues and an aging core. With Patrick Mahomes likely missing the offseason program, Kansas City faces uncertainty heading into 2026.
Backup Gardner Minshew is expected to start the Chiefs’ remaining three games, providing an audition for a potential longer-term role if Mahomes’ recovery lingers.[4]
Known for his relentless work ethic, Patrick Mahomes is already attacking rehab aggressively, drawing comparisons to Tom Brady’s successful return from a similar ACL tear. Still, experts warn that full health by Week 1 may be unrealistic.[5]
As the NFL world watches Mahomes’ progress, the Chiefs’ dynasty hopes now hinge on his comeback.
References:
- TotalProSports.com, “Patrick Mahomes Could Officially Be F–ked For 2026 Season, Too: ACL Surgery Reveals More Concerning Damage,” December 16, 2025. https://www.totalprosports.com/nfl/patrick-mahomes-acl-surgery-reveals-more-concerning-damage-2026-season/
- ESPN, “Mahomes has surgery for torn ACL; LCL also repaired, per source,” December 15, 2025. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47320352/kansas-city-chiefs-qb-patrick-mahomes-undergoes-surgery-torn-acl-lcl
- Newsweek, “New Development Could Hinder Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ Recovery,” December 15, 2025.
- Sporting News, “What Patrick Mahomes tearing more than ACL means for Chiefs QB’s recovery timeline,” December 16, 2025.
- NFL.com, “Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes undergoes successful surgery to repair ACL, LCL,” December 16, 2025.
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