Patrick Mahomes dealt huge injury blow as Chiefs’ playoff chances plummet and hang by a thread

As if things couldn’t get any worse for the Kansas City Chiefs.

After their NFL playoff hopes suffered a huge setback following their 31-28 Thanksgiving defeat to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Thursday, the Chiefs also had to contend with some notable injuries.

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Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons, one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ main protectors, suffered a dislocated and fractured wrist during the contest, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“A significant injury for Josh Simmons, who now will likely head to IR,” he posted on Friday morning.

He is set to undergo an MRI on Friday and discuss treatment options, with his status for the rest of this season up in the air.

Simmons was the Chiefs’ first-round pick of the 2025 NFL draft – 32nd overall – which was considered a steal for someone of the former Ohio State star’s caliber, especially considering Kansas City’s long-standing issue at that position.

He made headlines earlier on in the season when he was absent for several games due to having to go California to deal with a personal matter.

This saw veteran lineman Jaylon Moore, who the Chiefs signed to a two-year, $30 million deal in free agency over the summer, take over as quarterback Mahomes’ blindside protector.

But Simmons wasn’t the only member of the Chiefs to exit the game with injury, as another offensive lineman went down in Jawaan Taylor (elbow), as well as safety Bryan Cook (ankle), who attempted to play through it, but was unable to continue.

“Had a couple of injures. Bryan Cook sprained his right ankle. Jawaan Taylor hurt his tricep, Josh Simmons hurt his wrist, so I’ll have to see how those things are going to recover,” head coach Andy Reid said in his opening statement postgame.

Not only will they be without Simmons, and quite possibly Taylor – who has never missed a game because of injury in his seven-year career – as well, the Chiefs may also be without $94 million guard Trey Smith once again.

The 26-year-old was ruled out for the contest against the Cowboys after he suffered an ankle injury in their huge victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.

Texans could end Chiefs’ playoff chances once and for all

With Reid’s army now sitting at 6-6 on the season, next up for Mahomes and co in Week 14 is the Houston Texans, who will likely have CJ Stroud back under center.

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The biggest issue for the Chiefs lies in the fact that they will be without at least one, if not three of their starting offensive linemen, which is likely to see Moore and Wanya Morris get the starting nods for the foreseeable.

However, they will be inserted right into the thick of the action with a lot at stake, as they will be coming up against a Texans defense who boast the best record for yards per game allowed (264.3 yards per game).

Furthermore, they allow just 16.5 points per game, which ranks second in the NFL to only that of the Los Angeles Rams (16.3 points allowed).

This is largely in part due to former third overall pick and 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. continuing to develop into a superstar pass rusher, as well as having that of five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter beside him.

Both Anderson Jr. and Hunter rank inside the top five in the NFL in pass rush win percentage, with 27.2 percent and 22.3 percent, respectively.

Only Cleveland Browns superstar defensive end Myles Garrett (27.9 percent) – who signed a then-historic $160 million extension in the off-season – betters Anderson Jr’s numbers, while Micah Parsons (24.2 percent) – who later surpassed Garrett’s deal – and Aidan Hutchinson (23.5 percent) come ahead of Hunter.

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A loss to the Texans wouldn’t numerically eliminate the four-time Super Bowl champions from playoff contention, but it would certainly see the thread by which they’re hanging on by strain just that little bit extra.

The Chiefs’ chances of clinching a postseason berth dropped from 63 percent to 47 percent after their defeat to Dallas.

Kansas City have sat atop the AFC West for nine straight seasons, but their hopes of extending that to a decade of divisional dominance is almost certainly over, with the 9-2 Denver Broncos having a golden opportunity to stretch their lead by four games before the Chiefs take to the field again.

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