Overview
- Patrick Mahomes has been fully cleared by team doctors and surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper and is taking full 11-on-11 reps in training camp while using a protective knee brace.
- Coach Andy Reid said there is a “pretty good chance” Mahomes will not play in preseason games and is favoring rest to reduce the risk to the franchise quarterback.
- Mahomes tore his left ACL and LCL on December 14, 2025, underwent surgical repair, and has followed an accelerated rehab program that aims for a roughly nine-month recovery window.
- If Mahomes sits the preseason, backups Justin Fields and rookie Garrett Nussmeier are expected to receive extended live reps so the team can evaluate depth and protect Mahomes from meaningless-game risk.
- The Chiefs plan daily medical monitoring and stepwise clearance decisions, with the current expectation across coverage that Mahomes will be prepared to start Week 1 against Denver if no setback occurs.