Chiefs starting QB Gardner Minshew out with knee injury

Field Level Media|published: 12/21/2025, 2:43pm EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (17) passes during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.

New Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Gardner Minshew left Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville in the second quarter with a left knee injury.

He was listed as questionable to return.

Minshew was injured on a scramble during Kansas City's first possession and limped off the field but returned to play the team's next three possessions. But when the Chiefs got the ball at their 36 with 11:39 left in the half, Chris Oladokun replaced Minshew.

Oladokun, who has been on Kansas City's practice squad the last two years, led a scoring drive that culminated in Harrison Butker's 54-yard field goal for a 3-2 lead with 7:40 remaining in the half.

Prior to his departure, Minshew was 3 for 8 for 15 yards. He replaced Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL last week in a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention.

Prior to Sunday, Oladokun had one career pass attempt good for 5 yards that came last season.

--Field Level Media