Chiefs Lose Another QB to Knee Injury as Gardner Minshew Goes Down in Week 16 Loss to Titans
It’s gone from bad to worse in Kansas City. One week after losing Patrick Mahomes to a devastating knee injury, the Chiefs saw backup quarterback Gardner Minshew go down with what the team fears is another torn ACL. The injury came during Sunday’s 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, a game that now feels secondary to the quarterback crisis unfolding in Kansas City.
Minshew, stepping in for Mahomes after the two-time MVP tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Chargers, was injured after just one offensive series. The Chiefs went three-and-out on their opening drive, and Minshew was seen on the sideline getting medical attention on his left knee. He returned for four more possessions, including one that ended in a safety early in the second quarter, but didn’t make it back onto the field after that.
Chris Oladokun, a name most fans likely hadn’t expected to hear this season, was called into action next. The former seventh-round pick came off the bench and finished the game under center. According to reports, the Chiefs believe Minshew has suffered a torn ACL - the same injury that sidelined Mahomes just a week ago - though they’re waiting for MRI confirmation before making anything official.
Head coach Andy Reid kept things brief postgame, confirming that Minshew had a knee injury and would undergo further testing.
“Gardner hurt his left knee,” Reid said. “We don’t have any results for you. We’ll get that when he has a chance to get an MRI.”
That MRI will likely shape the Chiefs’ quarterback plans moving forward - and fast. With a short week ahead and a Thursday night matchup against the Denver Broncos looming, the team is down to one healthy quarterback: Chris Oladokun, who was just elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.
Oladokun, who hadn’t taken a single in-game snap this season before Sunday, finished with 111 passing yards on 11 completions. He was sacked four times behind a struggling offensive line, but Reid gave the young QB credit for stepping into a tough spot with minimal preparation.
“I thought he did okay,” Reid said. “He was able to get us moving a little bit.
I probably could have given him better stuff to work with - in particular, get him some more reps during the week. He didn’t have any reps to lean on.
But I thought for what he was asked to do, he did a nice job.”
That’s a fair assessment. Oladokun was essentially thrown into the fire with no warning, no rhythm with the first-team offense, and no cushion on the scoreboard. And while the offense didn’t light it up, he showed poise under pressure and kept the Chiefs from completely unraveling.
Still, the reality is stark. With Mahomes and Minshew both likely out, Oladokun is currently the only quarterback on the Chiefs’ active or practice squad rosters.
That puts general manager Brett Veach in scramble mode heading into Week 17. One potential emergency option could be Bailey Zappe, who spent time with the Chiefs during training camp and is currently on the Browns’ practice squad.
For now, though, the focus will be on getting Oladokun ready for what could be his first NFL start - in prime time, no less - with the playoffs still technically in reach but slipping fast.
The Chiefs have weathered storms before, but this one hits at the heart of their identity. Mahomes is the franchise.
Minshew was the insurance. Now, it’s up to Oladokun - a player who’s spent most of his NFL life in the background - to keep Kansas City’s season afloat.
It’s a tall task, but in the NFL, sometimes all it takes is one unexpected spark. The Chiefs are hoping Oladokun can be that spark - because right now, they’re running out of options.