SANTA CLARA, CA ― Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee on Dec. 14, meaning he won’t be on the field to face off against Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans when the two teams face off at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 21.
“I heard it when I got back after the game,” Ward said following the Titans‘ 37-24 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. “It’s sad because since he got into the league he’s been very productive every year. Not getting an opportunity to go against him, you know, everything happens for a reason. I know God has a plan for him. Prayers his way. And we’ll try to get a win next week versus them.”
The Titans (2-12) host the Chiefs (6-8) at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 21 (noon CT, CBS).
Ward hasn’t been shy in the past about his admiration for Mahomes. Nor have Titans defenders who’ve faced Mahomes in the past like safety Amani Hooker and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Hooker was one of the few Titans who expressed disappointment in not getting to face Mahomes again, saying he’s always like playing against that offense.
Simmons expressed disappointment as well.
“It’s always great when I have a chance to play against him, very competitive,” Simmons said. “I think their playoff hopes are done now since they lost today. I was kind of excited to help keep them out of the playoffs. But it sucks. It sucks to see him go down like that. I heard it was kind of a nasty injury. So prayers to him.”
Titans outside linebacker Arden Key first played against Mahomes when Key was a college freshman at LSU, facing Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. He’s since faced Mahomes seven times as a pro, never sacking the two-time MVP. Key is 1-6 against Mahomes as a pro, counting a playoff loss when Key was in Jacksonville.
“I’ve been playing Mahomes since college,” Key quipped. “I’ll take a game off from him.”
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cam Ward, Titans talk Patrick Mahomes ACL injury, missing Chiefs vs Titans
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