Who will start at QB for the Chiefs after Gardner Minshew injury?

The Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback situation has gone from bad to worse.

Already without Patrick Mahomes after his season-ending knee injury suffered last week, the Chiefs suffered another blow when Gardner Minshew exited Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with a knee injury of his own, forcing Andy Reid to dig even deeper into a thin quarterback room.

What happened to Gardner Minshew?

Minshew went down early in the second quarter at Nissan Stadium after taking a hit to his lower body. He remained on the turf briefly before heading to the locker room for further evaluation.

Only minutes into the second half, the Chiefs officially ruled Minshew out for the remainder of the game. While the team did not immediately disclose the severity of the injury, the decision to shut him down so quickly raised concerns about a potentially significant knee issue. It’s since been reported that he may have also torn his ACL, the same injury as Mahomes.

Who replaced Minshew after he was injured?

Chris Oladokun was thrust into action and finished the game as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback. Entering the matchup, Oladokun was the third quarterback on the depth chart and had not been expected to see meaningful snaps this season. They lost 26-9 and Oladokun finished with 11-of-16completions for 111 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions, and four sacks.

Now, he is the only healthy quarterback currently on the Chiefs’ active roster. The situation leaves Kansas City in an extremely precarious spot heading into the final weeks of the season, especially with no quarterbacks currently signed to the practice squad.

Chiefs QB depth chart after Minshew injury

With both Mahomes and Minshew sidelined, the Chiefs’ quarterback depth chart looks as follows:

• Chris Oladokun – Only healthy quarterback on the roster
• Patrick Mahomes – Out long term with knee injury
• Gardner Minshew – Status unclear after knee injury

According to reports around the league, Kansas City may need to consider emergency options if Minshew is unable to return soon. In a surprising twist, tight end Travis Kelce has reportedly been discussed internally as a potential emergency quarterback, a last-resort scenario that highlights just how desperate the situation has become.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

The Chiefs are already eliminated from playoff contention, but their schedule offers no relief. They close the season with two AFC West matchups, beginning with a Christmas Day showdown at Arrowhead Stadium against the Denver Broncos, followed by a season finale on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026.

Whether Kansas City adds a quarterback in the coming days or rides out the season with Oladokun under center will be one of the most closely watched storylines around the league. For Andy Reid and the Chiefs, the priority now is just to survive the final stretch of the season with a roster stretched to its absolute limits.

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