The NFL is likely to levy two major punishments against Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson after officials flagged and then ejected him for an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Jefferson’s hit came during the second half and led to an injury to Thornton. The wideout was able to walk off the field after the play, though he required assistance from the Chiefs’ medical staff to do so. Thornton entered concussion protocol following the game.
Officials tossed Jefferson from the contest after the play. During his exit, the Chargers defensive back made obscene gestures to the home crowd in Kansas City.
The league won’t issue any punishment(s) for Jefferson until Saturday, December 20. However, historical precedent suggests that Jefferson will face significant fines for both the hit that led to ejection, as well as the manner in which he left the game following that decision from the referees.
Patrick Mahomes Leaves With Injury, as Chiefs Eliminated From Playoff Contention
GettyQuarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even more serious news coming out of Kansas City on Sunday involved quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a knee injury on the Chiefs’ final drive of the game.
Mahomes was leading the offense late in the fourth quarter when he suffered a hit and appeared to potentially pop something in his knee, according to the broadcasters calling the game.
Trainers attended to Mahomes on the field, and while he was able to stand up and leave the field under his own power, he limped to the sidelines and into the blue tent. Mahomes did not return, leaving Kansas City with no decision except to turn to backup quarterback Gardner Minshew.
Minshew led the Chiefs to a first down, though ended the game with an interception in his first action of the 2025 season. That turnover also represented the end of Kansas City’s playoff hopes, as the Chiefs fell to the Chargers by three points.
At 6-8, the team is now mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
Chiefs May Roll With Gardner Minshew for Remainder of Season, Depending on Patrick Mahomes’ Injury
GettyKansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Gardner Minshew.
The Week 15 loss could also mean the end of Mahomes’ year, depending on the severity of his injury.
If the quarterback suffered any issue of considerable note, it would not make much sense for Kansas City to play him again over the final three weeks of the season, as the Chiefs should be turning their attention toward next year and keeping their best players as healthy as possible.
In that scenario, Minshew would finish the year as quarterback, barring any injury of his own. That could also be advantageous for Kansas City, as a couple more losses down the stretch would put the team in better position for the coming NFL draft.
Kansas City’s exit from playoff contention this year represents the end of a run that included seven straight appearances in the AFC title game, three straight appearances in the Super Bowl (five overall) and three championship rings.
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