Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu suffered torn ACL in AFC Championship win over Ravens
The Kansas City Chiefs defense has been their backbone throughout their journey to the Super Bowl, but the unit suffered a big loss in the AFC Championship Game.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, pass rusher Charles Omenihu, who had a strip-sack of Lamar Jackson in Sunday’s contest, tore his ACL against the Baltimore Ravens, putting his status for the season finale in major doubt.
“#Chiefs pass rusher Charles Omenihu suffered a torn ACL vs the #Ravens, sources tell @BleacherReport,” Schultz posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Omenihu was a huge part of KC’s defensive surge, recording 7 sacks and 2 FF in 11 games — and had a strip sack on Lamar Jackson that resulted in a turnover vs Baltimore.
“A huge loss for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense heading into the Super Bowl.”
Moreover, the news comes after the former Longhorns star stated he doesn’t intend to miss the Big Game in two weeks, even with his knee injury.
“I know I’m not done. I’m playing. I’m straight,” Omenihu said, via video from Aaron Ladd of KSHB41. “Do I look like somebody who’s not going to play in the Super Bowl? No, I don’t. I’m good. Come on, bro.”
Omenihu suffered the injury with about three minutes remaining before halftime. He had one tackle and one sack before leaving the game.
Luckily for Kansas City, they didn’t need the edge rusher to end the Ravens’ season. The Chiefs won 17-10 after getting to Jackson four times for sacks. Now, time will tell if he miraculously plays in the Super Bowl when the time comes.
More on Charles Omenihu, Super Bowl LVIII
Charles Omenihu has been a major force on the Chiefs defensive line this season with 28 total tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles. He is in his first season in Kansas City after playing last season for the San Francisco 49ers. A former fifth-round pick out of Texas, he played his first two NFL seasons with the Houston Texans.
Omenihu played the 2022 season with the San Francisco 49ers before signing a two-year deal with the Chiefs in March. He signed for $16 million. Due to a suspension in the offseason, he had to miss the Chiefs’ first six games, which were against the Lions, Jaguars, Bears, Jets, Vikings and Broncos. Kansas City only dropped the first of those six games without their edge rusher.
The Chiefs are now headed to their fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons. No matter how many times they make it to the championship game, Patrick Mahomes told reporters they won’t take the opportunity for granted.
“You don’t take it for granted,” Mahomes said after his 30-of-39 passing performance. “You never know how many you’re going to get to or if you’re going to get to any. So it truly is special just to do it with these guys after what we’ve been through all season long. Guys coming together, it really is special. But I told them, ‘The job’s not done.’ Our job now is to prepare ourselves to play a good football team in the Super Bowl and try to get that ring.”
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this article.