Overview
- Coach Andy Reid said on Friday that he would not bet against Patrick Mahomes returning by Week 1 while stressing the team has made no assumption about his availability.
- Mahomes is rehabbing from a combined ACL and LCL repair, has resumed jogging and throwing in a left-knee brace, and has taken part in 7-on-7 and individual drills but not full 11-on-11 or contact work.
- General manager Brett Veach described Mahomes as “way ahead of schedule,” and the quarterback has been working closely with team trainers and the Chiefs’ medical staff during an aggressive rehab program.
- Kansas City has added Justin Fields and drafted a quarterback as formal insurance, with the team limiting Mahomes’ practice exposure to reduce reinjury risk.
- The decisive next steps are mandatory minicamp and contact work in training camp, which will determine clearance for the Sept. 14 opener and shape short-term roster moves and target priorities at receiver and tight end.