The Kansas City Chiefs got some unexpectedly good news on the injury front - at least, relatively speaking. Quarterback Gardner Minshew avoided what initially looked like a season-ending ACL tear, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The MRI results confirmed that Minshew’s ACL is intact, but he’s still done for the year due to a non-displaced tibial plateau fracture in his knee.
That’s a tough break - literally - for a player who’s been grinding to stay in the league’s quarterback mix. Minshew, 29, has made a career out of being ready when called upon, and while his role in Kansas City this year was limited, he’s long been viewed as one of the more capable backups in the NFL.
Let’s rewind a bit. Minshew entered the league as a sixth-round pick out of Washington State in 2019, drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his fearless play and signature mustache, stepping into the starting role as a rookie and showing flashes of real upside. After his time in Jacksonville, the Eagles picked him up in 2021 for a sixth-rounder, where he served as a steady No. 2 behind Jalen Hurts.
In 2023, Minshew signed with the Colts and ended up starting a good chunk of the season, once again proving he can keep an offense afloat in a pinch. His performance earned him a two-year, $25 million deal with the Raiders the following offseason, where he was brought in to compete for the starting job. But that stint was short-lived - Las Vegas released him earlier this year, and the Chiefs scooped him up as insurance behind Patrick Mahomes.
Minshew saw limited action in Kansas City this season, appearing in four games and completing six of 13 passes for 37 yards and an interception. Not exactly eye-popping numbers, but his presence on the roster offered experience and depth - always valuable when you’re chasing another deep playoff run.
Now, with the Chiefs gearing up for the postseason, they’ll have to move forward without Minshew as their emergency option. Fortunately, Mahomes is healthy and the offense is trending in the right direction, but Minshew’s absence does thin out the QB room.
For Minshew, the focus shifts to recovery. A tibial plateau fracture isn’t something you rush back from - it’s a weight-bearing bone in the knee, and healing properly is crucial for long-term mobility and stability. The silver lining here is that he avoided ligament damage, which often comes with a much longer and more complicated rehab process.
Minshew’s journey through the NFL has never been a straight line, but he’s carved out a niche as a reliable, savvy veteran who can step in and keep things moving. Assuming he recovers fully, there’s every reason to believe he’ll be back in a QB room next season - clipboard in hand, mustache intact, and ready to go.