One of the biggest questions entering training camp for not only the Kansas City Chiefs but the entire NFL took a big step toward being answered on Friday.
Speaking with reporters less than a week before camp opens, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is cleared to fully participate in camp seven months after undergoing surgery to repair tears to the ACL and LCL in his left knee.
“Right now, he’s got clearance to practice and do all the different periods we have in this camp,” Reid said during his news conference in St. Joseph, Mo. “We’ll just take it day by day and see how he does. He’ll have plenty of eyes on him from coaches to trainers to doctors, but right now, he’s been cleared to go ahead and participate fully.”
When asked if Mahomes could be ready to play in the Chiefs’ season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14, Reid said, “I’m optimistic, and I know (Mahomes) is extremely optimistic,” before adding, “Let’s just see where we’re at and not make any predictions or anything else. Take it day by day and see where it goes.”
When it was his turn to speak, Mahomes said he actually got the news Wednesday from Dallas Cowboys team physician Dan Cooper, who performed the surgery on the quarterback in December.
“I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt, as far as strength and lifting (weights),” Mahomes said. “I feel amazing. … I’m excited just to be able to play football. I’ve been seeing cinder block walls rehabbing every single day in Kansas City. Now, to be on that practice field with my teammates, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, who turns 31 on Sept. 17, said he will open camp wearing a knee brace, though he is not committing to keeping it on.
“I will start with it on just because I feel like still I can move and be myself with it,” Mahomes said. “I played with it in college, and then we’ll just see where we go from there.”
Mahomes sustained the injury in the closing minutes of Kansas City’s 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14, a result that eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention.
Mahomes was in the midst of perhaps his worst season as a pro. He completed 62.7% of his passes for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The completion percentage, passing yards and touchdown passes were all career-low marks since he became a regular (though he could have avoided career-worst numbers in yards and touchdowns had he played the final three games of the regular season).
