Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery on Monday to repair the torn ACL in his left knee. Interestingly, the Dallas Cowboys had some sort of involvement in the situation.
Mahomes suffered the injury during the Chiefs’ Week 15 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Late in the fourth quarter, as the Kansas City QB scrambled out of the pocket, his knee buckled and he fell to the ground.
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The two-time NFL MVP, unable to put weight on his leg, had to be assisted off the field. He was ruled out for the rest of the contest, with the Chiefs eventually confirming that he tore his left ACL.
In an announcement, after stating that they would explore “surgical options” for their QB, the Chiefs revealed that Mahomes’ operation in Dallas was successful.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15).Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Patrick Mahomes’ Surgeon: Who Is Dr. Dan Cooper?
The Chiefs also revealed that the procedure was done by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper. It should be noted that Dr. Cooper is part of the Cowboys, serving as their head team physician.
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It’s not surprising, though, that Mahomes and the Chiefs opted to go with Dr. Cooper to perform the surgery.
While he works with the Cowboys, Dr. Cooper is considered a “widely recognized authority in the field of sports medicine, sub-specializing in injuries to the knee and shoulder,” according to his profile at the Carrell Clinic, where he also works.
Before joining the Cowboys, Dr. Cooper also worked for the NHL team, the Dallas Stars, from 1993 to 2011. He is also a consultant for Real Madrid FC, as well as other collegiate and pro sports teams. Overall, he has over 30 seasons working as a physician for athletes at various levels.
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Dr. Cooper was also the one who repaired Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice’s ACL tear in 2024.
Related: Chiefs Cheerleader Receives Good News Amid NFL Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.