Former WSU star QB Minshew exits start with knee injury

Former WSU Cougars standout quarterback Gardner Minshew exited with a knee injury after starting for the Chiefs in place of injured superstar Patrick Mahomes.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dec 21, 2025, 1:00 PM

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback and former WSU Cougars star Gardner Minshew hurt his left knee Sunday in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Third-stringer Chris Oladokun replaced Minshew, who was making his first start this season with Patrick Mahomes on injured reserve after tearing two knee ligaments last week.

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Minshew’s last play came on a safety when Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons tackled Kareem Hunt in the end zone with 13:06 left in the second quarter. Minshew finished 3 of 8 for 15 yards before his injury.

Minshew, who became a cult hero in Pullman during his sensational 2018 season at WSU, signed with Kansas City this offseason to be Mahomes’ backup. Prior to Sunday, he had appeared in three games this year, completing 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards and an interception.

Minshew, 29, is playing for his fifth different team in seven NFL seasons. He has a 17-29 career record as a starter, along with a 63.3% completion rate, 68 touchdown passes and 35 interceptions.

Minshew transferred to WSU prior to the 2018 season and had a breakout campaign, earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He was a sixth-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars the following spring.

Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.

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