This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The fallout from Week 15 will carry over into next season as two massive names have been added to the NFL Injury Report with significant knee injuries. Both Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons will require surgery to address their knee ailments, setting the stage for lengthy recoveries and altering the short-term futures of their respective franchises.
Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons
The two Pro Bowlers each suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knees. Mahomes' injury occurred late in Chiefs' loss to the Chargers when he was taken down while scrambling. His left knee planted awkwardly into the turf, forcing a hyperextension of the knee. The ACL was not the only ligament damaged on the play, as Mahomes also tore his lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Both ligaments were "repaired" in surgery on Monday by Dr. Dan Cooper, an orthopedist surgeon who specializes in complex knee injuries and serves as the Cowboys head physician.
The term repair is a little misleading and creates a degree of confusion about the procedure. It is more likely Mahomes underwent a reconstruction, a technique in which a graft is applied as a substitute "new" ligament. True repairs of the ACL are relatively uncommon, particularly among high level athletes. The recovery following a reconstruction is often in the nine- to 12-month range. Mahomes is likely to land on the latter end of that window given the additional involvement of the LCL. As a result, it is likely the early stages of rehab are a bit prolonged. A return during the 2026 season is possible, but the Chiefs overall record may factor into if and when that happens. The injury should not be considered a career-ender, as plenty of quarterbacks have successfully returned to the prior level of play following an ACL tear, including Tom Brady and Joe Burrow. Gardner Minshew will finish the year as Kansas City's starting quarterback
In Green Bay, Parsons tore his ACL in a noncontact manner. An MRI on the area confirmed the ACL tear, and surgery will be performed soon. It is unclear if Parson sustained any additional damage, and that might not even be known until after surgery. If it's just an isolated tear, Parsons has an outside shot at returning before the start of the regular season. However, it seems more plausible he begins the year on the PUP list and is back in early October. While Parsons remains an elite talent despite the injury, a 2022 study in return to play and performance rates in the NFL following an ACL reconstruction shows he is more likely to see a dip in productivity upon his return than Mahomes, as defensive linemen struggled more than quarterbacks. Green Bay's defense should be downgraded without the presence of their sack leader.
The Parsons injury overshadowed another significant setback on the Packers. Watson suffered an injury that has been described as a shoulder and chest injury that required Watson to make a trip to the hospital for further evaluation. The description, coupled with the hospital visit, suggests Watson suffered a sternoclavicular (SC) joint injury. The SC joint is located where the clavicle (collarbone) meets the sternum (breastbone) near the center of the chest. The SC joint influences overall shoulder movement by allowing the clavicle to move in multiple planes. Injuries to the area can become a medical emergency, as the trachea and several major blood vessels run directly behind the area. If the SC joint is significantly damaged, the collarbone can be forced backward into these structures, potentially impinging them. Fortunately, it appears Watson avoided any serious damage, and he is back with the team. Watson has not been ruled out for Week 16, but the team does play on a bit of a truncated schedule, as they are slated to take the field on Saturday night. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Turf Burns
Davante Adams: The Rams will likely be without Adams for the foreseeable future as he suffered a hamstring strain against the Lions. The injury is not considered a new strain but more of an aggravation of a prior strain that had limited over the past two weeks. The team considers him week-to-week and will focus on getting its Pro Bowl receiver ready for the postseason. As a result, those invested in Adams will need to have a replacement readily available. The Rams play on shortened rest this week as they are scheduled for the Thursday Night game. Tutu Atwell could see an increase in targets if Adams sits, but he too is working his way back from a hamstring injury.
Jayden Daniels: The Commanders have elected to shut down Daniels for the remainder of the year. Daniels recently aggravated his previously dislocated elbow and will now get a jump start on preparing for the 2026 campaign. He should be able to carry out a relatively normal offseason and enter training camp at 100 percent. Marcus Mariota will finish out the year for Washington.
Woody Marks: Marks did not finish the team's win over the Cardinals, but coach DeMeco Ryans said it was more of a precautionary measure than anything else. Marks suffered a mild ankle injury and is currently listed as day-to-day. Jawhar Jordan excelled in Marks' absence, amassing 101 yards on 15 carries and could be worth a speculative add, especially if the team continues to take a conservative approach with Marks and Nick Chubb.
New Orleans Backfield: The Saints running back corps is looking rather depleted after Devin Neal suffered a hamstring strain against the Panthers. Neal, who has been filling in for the injured Alvin Kamara, finished the day with seven carries for 28 yards and a touchdown. Neal's injury is likely to cost him additional playing time as hamstring strains are notoriously limiting and usually result in missed time. Kamara, who has missed three straight outings with a medical collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his knee, has yet to practice and remains a question mark for Week 16. Evan Hull and Audric Estime would split carries if both Kamara and Neal remain sidelined.
Rome Odunze: The Bears receiver aggravated his foot injury during pregame warmups and was a late scratch from the team's win over the Browns. Odunze has been battling a stress fracture in his foot for weeks without any real improvement. Head coach Ben Johnson said, "All options are on the table" for Odunze's treatment, meaning surgery is a possibility. At this point, Odunze's fantasy value is inherently low, as he has not scored more than six fantasy points since Week 10 and has only score double digits twice since a Week 5 bye. DJ Moore remains the top target in Chicago.
