NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Tennessee Titans are preparing for the final stretch of the season with two more games at Nissan Stadium, but Sunday’s matchup against Kansas City will look different than expected.
The game was likely circled on many schedules as fans anticipated seeing three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes face off against Titans quarterback Cam Ward, the number one overall pick who has been widely compared to Mahomes in playing style.
That scenario is no longer possible. Mahomes is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee last week.
The Chiefs are eliminated from the playoffs for the first time in a decade and will field an entirely different team than fans are used to seeing.
Titans players react to Mahomes’s absence
Some Titans players aren’t disappointed about facing Kansas City without their star quarterback.
“I mean, he’s a competitor, always great playing against Mahomes. I mean, I’m not mad, cause like I said, it’s all about winning. You know it sucks to see him go down like he did, but nah, I’m not mad at all,” said Jeffery Simmons.
Offensive lineman JC Latham acknowledged the injury’s significance while noting Kansas City’s established culture.
“That’s a really unfortunate injury to one of the league’s best, but they have a culture there. The culture that they’ve established while it was when they were winning isn’t something that’s going to be forgotten,” Latham said.
Quarterback Cam Ward expressed sympathy for the injured quarterback.
“That’s something that you don’t wish upon no person. Especially what he’s proven in the league since he’s been here. It’s a matchup that I think every team would look forward to,” Ward said.
Gardner Minshew will start under center for the Chiefs. Titans fans know him well from his previous starts with Jacksonville and Indianapolis against Tennessee.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.