Mahomes Returns to Drills Five Months After ACL Surgery, Eyes Season Opener
Patrick Mahomes took part in seven-on-seven drills at Kansas City Chiefs organized team activities on Thursday, his most significant on-field appearance since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL sustained in December. Wearing a heavy knee brace throughout the session, Mahomes connected with wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a touchdown pass and visibly celebrated the moment from the sideline. He did not participate in 11-on-11 work, and Thursday's session was the first of the week open to media observation.
Mahomes suffered the knee injury late in a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium, a defeat that ended Kansas City's extended run of consecutive playoff appearances. The Chiefs announced at the time that he would begin rehabilitation immediately. Roughly five months on from that procedure, the three-time Super Bowl champion described the return to a full practice environment as a meaningful step after months of largely solitary rehabilitation work. "It was good to be back on the field with the guys, more than anything," Mahomes said. "Some of those days you're rehabbing, you're here by yourself or with a couple of the other guys. You kind of get that juice when everyone gets back in the building."
Head coach Andy Reid kept Mahomes away from situations carrying a higher risk of incidental contact, a precaution consistent with standard post-surgical protocols at this stage of an ACL recovery. Reid nonetheless credited the quarterback's commitment over the preceding months. "I like what I've seen. He's working hard," Reid said. "This is good for him - getting out there and throwing is good for him." Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP, acknowledged that ramping up his running remains the next phase of the process, separate from his throwing progression.
Mahomes confirmed he is targeting the Chiefs' regular-season opener - a home game against the Denver Broncos scheduled for Sept. 14 - but qualified that goal with deliberate caution. "The goal at the end - the very far end - is to be ready to be able to go out there and play with the guys Week 1 at Arrowhead," he said. "But I've got to take it day by day." He also stated he does not intend to alter his playing style upon his return, saying he would still "lay it on the line for my guys" when the situation demands it. Whether Mahomes is cleared for full-contact work before the regular season begins will be the key metric to watch as training camp approaches.
