The Kansas City Chiefs' already tumultuous season has taken another hit, as quarterback Gardner Minshew is feared to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Sunday's 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans, according to sources. This devastating injury comes just one week after starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his left knee.
Minshew's injury occurred on the third play of the game, when he scrambled and fell to the turf with a noncontact injury. He attempted to continue playing but was unable to use proper footwork on passing attempts, completing only 3 of 8 passes for 15 yards. The Chiefs' center, Creed Humphrey, expressed his concern for Minshew, saying, "It sucks, and it's horrible to see. Obviously, I hope he's all right. It just sucks to see."
The loss of Minshew is a significant blow to the Chiefs, who are already out of playoff contention. The team will now have to rely on third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun for the final two games of the season.
Oladokun, who entered the game while Minshew was being evaluated, finished with 111 passing yards but was sacked four times. Despite the challenges, Oladokun remained calm and composed, saying, "The moment wasn't too big for me. I felt really calm out there, and I felt like I was seeing things pretty good. The game didn't seem too fast for me." Oladokun also revealed that Mahomes was the first person to send him a text message after the game, showing the team's camaraderie and support.
The Chiefs' loss to the Titans ensured that the team will finish the season with a losing record, their first under coach Andy Reid since he joined the franchise in 2013. Reid acknowledged the disappointment, saying, "Nobody likes losing in this business, but my hat goes off for the guys who have put together all these years [with a winning record]. We can learn from it and need to do that going forward. Sometimes a good kick in the tail helps you there, coaches and players."
The Chiefs will have a short week to prepare for their next game, hosting the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. With Minshew out, Oladokun is expected to start, and the team will rely on their young players to step up. As Oladokun noted, "We have a lot of young guys playing, but it's a great experience. It's going to be real valuable for us." The possibility of making his first start on Christmas Day is a special opportunity for Oladokun, who will have his family in town to support him.
As the season comes to a close, the Chiefs will have to regroup and refocus on the future. With a strong team dynamic and a mix of veteran and young players, the team is poised to bounce back from this difficult season. As Oladokun said, "I'm ready for the opportunity. We have a lot of young guys playing, but it's a great experience." The Chiefs' fans will be watching closely, hoping for a strong finish to the season and a promising start to the next one.
The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the Chiefs are no strangers to adversity. With their sights set on the future, the team will work to rebuild and come back stronger than ever. As the NFL season comes to a close, the Chiefs will be one of the teams to watch, eager to put this difficult season behind them and start anew.
Original: ESPN
Image: ESPN
Written by Npsports
