If you're frantically checking your sportsbook app or refreshing your fantasy feed to see is mahomes playing today against texans, I have some tough news for you.
Patrick Mahomes is not playing today. He isn't playing tomorrow, either. In fact, he hasn't been on the field for weeks.
The reality of the 2025-2026 NFL season has been pretty brutal for Kansas City fans. While the Houston Texans are currently gearing up for a high-stakes AFC Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots (set for Sunday, January 18), the Chiefs are already deep into an uncharacteristically early offseason.
It feels weird, right? We're so used to seeing Mahomes deep in the January hunt. But this year, the narrative shifted from "dynasty" to "recovery" on one cold Sunday back in December.
The Injury That Changed Everything
The reason you won't see Mahomes under center today dates back to Week 15. On December 14, during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Mahomes suffered a devastating non-contact injury to his left knee.
It wasn't just a tweak.
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MRIs later confirmed every Chiefs fan's nightmare: a torn ACL and LCL. It was a season-ender, point blank. He underwent surgery just 24 hours later in Dallas, performed by the renowned Dr. Dan Cooper. Since then, the three-time Super Bowl MVP has traded his cleats for a knee brace and a grueling rehab schedule.
Just yesterday, January 15, Mahomes actually spoke to the media for the first time since the surgery. He looked optimistic, but he's nowhere near game-ready. He basically told reporters that while the "rehab is going great," he is strictly following a "wait and see" protocol.
The goal? Week 1 of the 2026 season.
Why the Texans Are Playing (And the Chiefs Aren't)
It's easy to get confused with the schedule, especially since these two teams have a bit of recent history. The Texans and Chiefs did play in the regular season—specifically on December 7, 2025.
Houston walked into Arrowhead and handed Kansas City a 20-10 loss. That game was actually one of Mahomes’ last full appearances before the injury.
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Right now, the Texans are one of the hottest teams in the league. They just dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in the Wild Card round on Monday night. Because they won, they moved on to the Divisional Round. But they aren't playing the Chiefs today; they're headed to Foxborough to face the Patriots.
Kansas City, meanwhile, finished the season in a tailspin. Between the Mahomes injury and a general offensive struggle, the Chiefs failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014. It’s a total system shock for a fanbase that has lived at the top of the mountain for nearly a decade.
The Long Road to 2026
Honestly, seeing Mahomes in a hoodie on the sidelines instead of a helmet is just... wrong. But that's the current state of play.
Mahomes is currently working closely with Julie Frymyer, the Chiefs' Assistant Athletic Trainer who famously helped him navigate that high-grade ankle sprain during the 2022 Super Bowl run. There’s a lot of trust there. He’s hitting his checkpoints, sure, but ACL/LCL reconstructions are notorious for being nine-month marathons.
He mentioned that he hopes to be a "mental participant" in OTAs this April. Basically, he’ll be the guy with the clipboard, helping whatever new offensive coordinator Andy Reid brings in to replace Matt Nagy.
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What to Expect Next
Since there is no chance of seeing #15 on the field today, here is what you should actually be watching for:
- The Texans vs. Patriots Game: This is the actual matchup for Houston. C.J. Stroud is looking like the new king of the AFC while Mahomes is sidelined.
- Chiefs Coaching Changes: With the season over, Kansas City is scouting for a new offensive coordinator. Mahomes has been vocal about wanting someone who brings "new ideas every single day."
- Rehab Milestones: We likely won't see Mahomes even jogging until late spring. Any "news" you see about him returning earlier is probably just wishful thinking.
The "is mahomes playing today against texans" question has a simple answer, but the context is a lot heavier. The NFL landscape has shifted. For the first time in a long time, the road to the Super Bowl doesn't go through Kansas City.
If you're looking for football to watch this weekend, the Texans take the field on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN. Just don't expect to see any red jerseys out there with them.
Your Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the official NFL injury transition portal for 2026. While Mahomes is out for the postseason, his progress through the "Physically Unable to Perform" (PUP) list during the upcoming August training camp will be the first real indicator of whether he’ll actually be ready for the 2026 season opener.