KANSAS CITY — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had successful surgery Monday in Dallas to repair a torn left ACL, the team announced. A league source told ESPN that Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys’ head team physician who performed the procedure, also repaired a torn LCL in Mahomes’ left knee, a detail first reported by NFL Network.
The Chiefs said Mahomes will begin his rehabilitation immediately. The injury occurred with under two minutes remaining in Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a defeat that eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention.
Recovery timelines for combined ACL/LCL repairs typically run about nine months, which means Mahomes will miss the Chiefs’ offseason program and his availability for the start of the 2026 season, which opens Sept. 10, is uncertain.
Coach Andy Reid expressed confidence in Mahomes’ approach to rehab, noting that many top quarterbacks have returned successfully from similar knee injuries and that the team has strong medical and rehabilitation staff to support him.
Former quarterback Tom Brady, who returned to play after an ACL tear in 2008, commented on Mahomes’ situation during an episode of his “Let’s Go!” podcast. Brady emphasized the importance of committing fully to the rehab process, saying players should move from “rehab mode” to “training mode” as quickly as it’s safe to do so and maintain intense focus and discipline throughout the recovery.
The Chiefs provided few additional specifics on the timeline beyond the initial statement that Mahomes would begin rehabilitation. The coming months will determine whether he can return by the start of the 2026 season, but for now the team and its franchise quarterback are starting the long recovery journey.
