Patrick Mahomes stated Tuesday that he is on schedule to start at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs' season opener. Mahomes, who sustained a season-ending ACL tear on December 14, has been working towards this Week 1 target throughout his rehabilitation.
He reported feeling healthy during training camp, allowing for consistent practice without requiring additional recovery days. "The grind of a camp... it's been awesome for me to be able to do that. It's exciting," Mahomes said during a press conference. "I didn't know if I was going to have to take days off, but my body has responded the right way. Honestly, the more we practice, the better I feel."
Doctors initially provided a nine-month recovery timeline, a schedule Mahomes has followed with the goal of being ready for the first regular season game. "This has always been the plan," Mahomes said. "From the day I got the surgery, as quick as I did, to hopefully the first game of the year, the plan will go accordingly, and I'll be able to go out there and be myself."
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid indicated on Monday that Mahomes' status for Week 1 is still pending. "He's doing great," Reid said, according to the Kansas City Star. "We'll just see. I'm literally taking it day by day. There are no predictions here on anything. But if the doctors and the trainers and everybody that are involved with this give him an OK — and then most of all, if he feels like he can, then we'll address that when we get there."
Should Mahomes not be cleared to play, backup quarterback Justin Fields is anticipated to start for the Chiefs in their Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos on September 14.