Patrick Mahomes Targets Week 1 Start After December ACL and LCL Surgery

Patrick Mahomes has participated in every training camp practice since late July and expects to start for the Chiefs against Denver on Sept. 14.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is on track to start the Week 1 season opener against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14. The "Monday Night Football" matchup marks exactly nine months since Mahomes underwent surgery in December to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. While the 10-year veteran is not expected to take snaps in the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks this Friday, he has completed every necessary checkpoint to strengthen his joint. Mahomes has not missed a single practice session since receiving medical clearance for all football activities in late July.

During recent 11-on-11 repetitions, Mahomes has demonstrated increased mobility through pocket footwork and scrambling drills. A primary focus of the current training camp involves the quarterback working under center Creed Humphrey to establish chemistry with free-agent acquisition Kenneth Walker III. Despite the intensity of camp, Mahomes reported on Tuesday that his body has responded correctly to the daily grind without requiring scheduled days off. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy noted that while the quarterback remains sidelined for exhibition games, he has functioned like a coach on the sideline during the preseason schedule.

Recovery Milestones and Physical Progress

Mahomes highlighted his ability to make quick, reactionary cuts during practice as a significant indicator of his recovery. Although coaches have advised him to moderate his physical output, the quarterback admitted his competitive nature often leads to high-intensity play. "The more we practice, the better I feel," Mahomes stated during a Tuesday press conference, noting that he no longer thinks about the surgically repaired knee during active plays. This recovery timeline aligns with the original medical projection established immediately following his December procedure.

Coach Andy Reid confirmed on Monday that the team's medical staff has not yet cleared the quarterback for full game participation, which explains his likely absence from the Friday night finale. If Mahomes sits out against Seattle, it will mark the first time in his decade-long career that he has not played a single minute of the preseason. However, the quarterback displayed his current range of motion during a recent exhibition against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he sprinted from the sideline and jumped to celebrate a 69-yard field goal converted by Harrison Butker just before halftime.

Building Chemistry for the 2026 Season

The integration of running back Kenneth Walker III remains a central theme of the Chiefs' offensive preparation. Mahomes has utilized the summer to synchronize with the new backfield addition while testing his left knee's stability during live drills. The quarterback described the nine-month rehabilitation process as a period of maximizing every rep in the weight room and every hour spent in the facility to ensure he could "be himself" by the start of the regular season.

With the Broncos game approaching in two weeks, Mahomes expressed confidence that he will receive final clearance to lead the offense. He emphasized that the plan from the day of his surgery was always to be ready for the first game of the year. The Chiefs' staff continues to monitor his progress as he transitions from training camp practices to specific game preparation for the Denver defense. Mahomes remains focused on the Sept. 14 target date to prove his reactionary movement and pocket presence have fully returned following the ligament tears.