Patrick Mahomes cleared for Chiefs training camp after knee surgery
Patrick Mahomes has been cleared for full Chiefs camp work as he returns from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Patrick Mahomes cleared camp is the headline Kansas City wanted: ESPN reported that the Chiefs quarterback has been approved for full training camp participation after surgery on his left knee.
According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs’ medical staff and Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys team physician who operated on Mahomes, gave the green light two days before Mahomes arrived at Missouri Western State in St. Joseph, Missouri, for camp.
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee, ESPN reported. On Friday, he said he feels stronger than at any point in his weight-room work and described himself as feeling “amazing” as he prepares to get back on the field with teammates after daily rehab in Kansas City.
The clearance means a step up from the offseason program. ESPN reported that Mahomes is expected to run the first-team offense in 11-on-11 periods during camp, while continuing to wear a compression sleeve and black brace on his left leg.
Earlier in the week, Mahomes showed team medical staff he could run, cut and change direction, according to ESPN. Those drills were meant to show he can protect himself around other players when practice speeds up.
Will Patrick Mahomes play Week 1?
Mahomes has aimed throughout rehab to start the Chiefs’ season opener, ESPN reported. Kansas City opens at home against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14 on “Monday Night Football.”
Coach Andy Reid told ESPN he does not plan to cut back Mahomes’ usual practice work, while also saying the team still has to see how camp goes before making predictions about Week 1.
For the first time since the December injury, ESPN reported, Mahomes will take reps with the Chiefs’ key skill players: running back Kenneth Walker III, tight end Travis Kelce and receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton.
Mahomes said he wants Reid to call practice as he would in the regular season, according to ESPN, because that is how he believes he can best prepare. He also said he wants to test the knee while running the offense with bodies around him, though quarterbacks are not hit in that setting.
His camp goals go beyond proving he can take snaps. ESPN reported that Mahomes wants to sharpen how he moves in the pocket, speed up his throws and improve his decision-making after moments last season when he felt the ball could have come out faster.
Could Mahomes play in the preseason?
The Chiefs still have a call to make on preseason action. ESPN reported that, if Mahomes keeps progressing, Kansas City will decide whether to play him in one of its first two preseason games as part of his Week 1 ramp-up.
Mahomes told ESPN he will prepare as if he is playing, but said coaches and doctors will make the final decision. ESPN noted that across his nine-year career, Mahomes has not missed an entire preseason.
Mahomes also said he has received encouragement from Tom Brady and Tyrann Mathieu, ESPN reported. Both former stars continued All-Pro careers after ACL injuries.
The quarterback said the recovery process is not finished and may be something he manages for years, according to ESPN. For now, he said he feels ready to run the Chiefs’ offense the way it is designed to be run.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.