BREAKING: Patrick Mahomes set to start Chiefs' opener nine months after ACL surgery
Patrick Mahomes' return appears set for Week 1. Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters on Tuesday that the star quarterback is expected to start Monday night's season opener against the Broncos, roughly nine months after he underwent surger…
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Patrick Mahomes' return appears set for Week 1. Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters on Tuesday that the star quarterback is expected to start Monday night's season opener against the Broncos, roughly nine months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL.
Mahomes will start barring a surprise setback this week, and the return would land exactly nine months removed from ACL surgery. Reid's own words were captured live from the press conference by Chiefs beat writer Nate Taylor:
Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor): Andy Reid to start the first week of the season: "There's a good chance Patrick [Mahomes] will start. Most likely, he'll be the guy that's out there." Reid also said undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson would likely start at left tackle if Josh Simmons (back) is unavailable.
That is about as close to a confirmation as an opening-week availability allows. Reid hedged — a setback this week would change the math — but the through-line of his comments is that the Chiefs expect Mahomes under center against the division-rival Broncos on Monday night.
A torn ACL and LCL made the Week 1 target an ambitious one; instead of a mid-season ramp-up, Mahomes is on track to be there for the first snap of the year. If the outlook holds through the week of practice, the biggest question hanging over Kansas City's summer gets its answer in the opener itself.