Fantasy Football Impact of Patrick Mahomes' Injury: Gardner Minshew, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, and More

Sunday was maybe the worst day the Kansas City Chiefs have experienced in at least a decade. KC's loss combined with a few other outcomes officially eliminated the team from playoff contention, and Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL late in the game.

With around nine-and-a-half months before next season starts, Mahomes has time to recover and be ready for Week 1, and since they aren't in the playoff hunt, this was the right time to get injured (if there ever is a right time). Kansas City isn't going to miss much without their quarterback, though there will be questions about how ready he is at the start of the 2026 season.

There are still fantasy football implications for this season, as Gardner Minshew will take over under center, lowering the ceiling and the floor of the Kansas City offense. Every pass catcher (and even the running backs) will feel the effects, leaving uncertainty with just a few weeks remaining.

Let's look at the fantasy football implications of Mahomes missing the rest of the season and what we can expect from players at every fantasy position. Most stats are from NFL.com.

Check out FantasySP's injury report to stay up to date with every player at risk of missing games.

Quarterback

Gardner Minshew

Minshew will likely start the rest of the way as long as he stays healthy. In an Andy Reid offense, it's tempting to think he might find success. Minshew has been average at his best, though; there's a reason he is a backup. He's a good backup, but Minshew is unlikely to have big performances in Mahomes' stead.

He does have a great matchup in Week 16 against the Titans, but Minshew then finishes with a tough one against the Broncos and a middling matchup with the Raiders. He's an intriguing streaming option next week, but if you're fighting for a fantasy championship, do you really want to count on Minshew?

If you were starting Mahomes and don't have another option, Minshew is OK to consider as a fill-in next week, especially if you're in a deep league or just playing for the consolation trophy. If you're still in the hunt for the top spot, though, you can probably find a player with a better floor.

Running Back

Isiah Pacheco

Kareem Hunt

The backs don't see much change; they are low-level fantasy guys who can be considered as flex players in the right matchups. There is a serious ceiling on both Pacheco and Hunt, but there was at least offensive upside in Kansas City with Mahomes in the lineup; that's now much more uncertain.

These two running backs aren't exciting fantasy options. If you have either, they are fine as bench players who would get extra value if the other one suffered an injury (there's a better chance of someone missing a game now that they are out of the playoff hunt). They are flex players at best, though, not guys who will make or break your lineup in the fantasy playoffs.

The matchup next week against the Titans is slightly positive, but the Broncos pose a tough game in Week 17, and the Raiders are middling to close the season if your fantasy league plays until the end. Unless you're in a deep league, Week 16 against Tennessee is the only time these players will be worth consideration.

Wide Receiver

Rashee Rice

Rice is the clear top wide receiver in Kansas City. Even though he missed the first six games while suspended, Rice is second on the team behind Travis Kelce in targets, receptions, and yards, and he is tied for the lead with five receiving touchdowns.

With Mahomes, Rice might be a weekly fantasy starter. Everything changes with Minshew, though, as everyone's floor and ceiling are lowered here. His story is the same as far as matchups are concerned, having a good outlook coming up against Tennessee but lesser prospects to finish the season.

Rice will be fine as a WR3/4/flex type next week, but he will be a must-bench player against the Broncos. Week 18 will depend on your roster if you're still going, as Rice will have an OK outlook against the Raiders.

Xavier Worthy

Marquise Brown

All other receivers are essentially off the fantasy radar the rest of the way. Brown missed Week 15 with a personal matter, and it's not clear when he will return. He and Worthy are both lower-level complementary players with Rice in the lineup, so even in the best matchups, there is a ceiling.

Worthy and Brown (if he plays) will be low-level streamers in the next game. If you're in a deep league or just find yourself without a good option, they can be guys with upside. There is a floor in the basement, though, leaving both receivers as risky fantasy players. They also won't have value after Week 16, making them one-week fill-ins if you're desperate.

Tight End

Travis Kelce

Kelce is far ahead of the rest of the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, and he is also tied for the team lead with five touchdowns. While he is no longer among the elite group of fantasy tight ends, Kelce is often still the top option in Kansas City.

It's likely that Kelce remains a top option for Minshew. That still puts him as just a mid-level fantasy tight end, a player who should be considered with the matchups. Like everyone else, that means Kelce has a good outlook next week but a tougher pair of games after that.

Week 17, in particular, is tricky because it is the fantasy championship in most leagues, and the Chiefs have one of the toughest matchups possible against the Broncos. Most owners who make the championship game aren't going to bench Kelce; he's one of the guys that got them here. There is a major risk of a low floor, though, so it's good to have Plan B if you are counting on the Kansas City tight end.

Conclusion

With the Chiefs out of the playoff race, it's hard to know what to expect each week. Older/hurt players might take games off, and without Mahomes under center, there is a major chasm between their floor and ceiling.

Take everything on a week-by-week basis, but the initial look shows a decent outlook in Week 16 but tougher games after that. It's going to be weird without the Chiefs as a major part of the late season and postseason, but there's a chance for someone new to emerge in the AFC.