Injuries to Patrick Mahomes and
Micah Parsons ruin NFL's Week 15
[December 15, 2025]
By ROB MAADDI
First, Patrick Mahomes went down. Then, it was Micah Parsons.
The NFL lost two of its all-time greatest players to serious knee
injuries in a span of a few hours on Sunday, ruining a day filled
with exciting comebacks and fascinating stories.
Forty-four-year-old Philip Rivers played his first game in 1,800
days and nearly led the 14-point underdog Indianapolis Colts to a
stunning upset against Seattle before Jason Myers kicked a 56-yard
field goal with 29 seconds left to lift the Seahawks to an 18-16
victory.
Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills from a 21-0
deficit to a 35-31 victory at New England, snapping the Patriots’
10-game winning streak and preventing them from clinching the AFC
East.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough rallied the New Orleans Saints to a
20-17 comeback victory over the Panthers capped by Charlie Smyth’s
47-yarder as time expired, damaging Carolina’s chances to win the
NFC South and boosting Tampa Bay’s hopes.
Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams overcame a 10-point
deficit and rolled past the Lions 41-34, dampening Detroit’s playoff
bid. The Rams lost three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to
a hamstring injury in the game. He could miss Thursday night’s game
at Seattle, a battle for first place in the NFC West.
Jalen Hurts played like the Super Bowl MVP and the Philadelphia
Eagles snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-0 rout over the
woeful Las Vegas Raiders.
But the injuries to Mahomes and Parsons overshadowed everything else
that happened in Week 15.
Even the Chiefs being eliminated from playoff contention was
secondary to the news about Mahomes.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP tore the ACL in his left knee late in
the fourth quarter of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that
ended Kansas City’s streak of 10 straight playoff appearances and
seven consecutive trips to the AFC championship game.
“Don’t know why this had to happen,” Mahomes posted on social media
before the diagnosis was announced. “And not going to lie it hurts.
But all we can do now is trust in God and attack every single day
over and over again. Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting
me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers. I Will be
back stronger than ever.”
Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a
person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury told The
Associated Press on Sunday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of
the injury hadn’t been confirmed by tests.
“I’m sickened,” Parsons told the AP in a text message.
Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers, who
lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC
North-leading Chicago Bears.
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Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the
second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Parsons was steps away from another sack when he
suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, grabbing at his left
knee.
Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his
ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: “It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave
it at that.”
With Parsons, the Packers were Super Bowl contenders. Without him,
it’ll be much more difficult to get there. The Packers take on the
Bears in a showdown for first place on Saturday night.
“We all know what type of player he is and the impact he’s had on
our football team and to lose somebody like that, it’s tough,”
LaFleur said. “Like I said, nobody’s going to feel sorry for us.
We’ve got to find a way and guys have got to rally around one
another.”
Mahomes and Parsons will not only miss the rest of this season but
their status for the start of 2026 is uncertain. Players typically
return from ACL injuries in 9-12 months.
Running back Adrian Peterson tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee
on Dec. 24, 2011. He was back on the field for Week 1 the next
season, ran for 2,097 yards in 16 games and became the last
non-quarterback to win the NFL MVP award in one of the most
remarkable comebacks in league history.
Quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL, LCL and sustained damage to
his IT band and meniscus on Dec. 17, 2017 and ended up watching the
Eagles win the first Super Bowl in franchise history from the
sideline. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 3 the following
season, and threw for 3,074 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven
interceptions and a 102.2 passer rating in 11 games.
If Mahomes and Parsons didn’t damage other ligaments, it increases
the possibility they could return for the 2026 season opener.
Regardless, both star players have a long, grueling rehab ahead.
___
AP Sports Writers Dave Skretta and Pat Graham contributed to this
report.
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