Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback room takes another hit with Gardner Minshew injured in Week 16 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback situation is looking pretty dire after Gardner Minshew suffered a knee injury.
Update: As the second half began, the Chiefs officially ruled out Gardner Minshew.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback room just took another hit in the first half of Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans.
In the first series of the game, the Chiefs’ current starting quarterback, Gardner Minshew, took a hit and came up limping. He was checked out by the training staff on the sideline, but came in for the second offensive series. It quickly became apparent that he was hurt, as he was unable to step into or drive his throws, with multiple passes falling at his intended targets’ feet.
With just over 13 minutes to go in the second quarter, Chris Oladokun entered the game to replace Minshew, who was ruled questionable to return to the game with a knee injury. Minshew was seen on the sideline emerging from the blue injury tent with trainers, who were looking at his left knee. Chiefs VP of Sports Medicine and Performance, Rick Burkholder, hugged Minshew before he went to the locker room for further evaluation in Tennessee. If Minshew doesn’t return, he’ll finish the day 3-of-8 passing for 15 yards.
The Chiefs, of course, are without starting QB Patrick Mahomes after he suffered ACL and LCL injuries in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers. So, who is the team’s quarterback for the remainder of Week 16?
Chris Oladokun gets his opportunity to shine against the Titans
A former seventh-round draft pick out of South Dakota State by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Chris Oladokun is the Chiefs’ backup quarterback for Week 16. He appeared in the team’s Week 18 game last season, but never attempted a pass during the game. His NFL experience has been strictly limited to preseason games to date. The 28-year-old has been on the Chiefs’ practice squad, acting as the team’s scout team quarterback since the 2022 NFL season.
Oladokun finished the first half of the Week 16 game, going 6-of-8 passing for 46 yards. He also carried the ball one time for five yards. If Oladokun got hurt, that would get dicey for the Chiefs, as they’d have to rely on an emergency backup quarterback. Ultimately, this is a big opportunity for Oladokun, who could prove to be more than just a scout-team quarterback for Kansas City.
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