Minshew Avoids ACL Tear Amidst Knee Injury

After the devastating ACL injury that Patrick Mahomes suffered last week, the Kansas City Chiefs were bracing for more bad news. The last thing the team wanted to hear was that their backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, had also suffered an ACL tear. Thankfully, on Monday, there was a sigh of relief, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Minshew avoided an ACL injury and would not require surgery. Initially, the Chiefs were deeply concerned when Minshew was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s game, with early reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter suggesting he had also torn his ACL.

Although the news was positive, Minshew will still be sidelined for the rest of the season as he continues to recover from his knee issue. With both Mahomes and Minshew out, Kansas City must now turn to their third-string quarterback, Chris Oladokun. Oladokun, who has been with the franchise since 2022, is preparing for his first significant NFL action. Prior to Sunday, his only regular-season appearance came on January 5, when he filled in for Carson Wentz during a 38–0 loss to the Broncos. With limited experience on the NFL stage, Oladokun faces a daunting challenge stepping into the starting role for a team that relies heavily on strong quarterback play. The Chiefs will need to rally around him as they navigate the difficult finish to what has already been a tumultuous season.

The coming weeks will test the resilience of the entire team, from the coaching staff to the locker room leadership. Kansas City’s offensive scheme, built around Mahomes’ unique skill set, will likely require adjustments to accommodate Oladokun’s style and experience level. Meanwhile, the defense must elevate its play to compensate for any growing pains on offense.