ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reported Saturday that there are times during practices that he forgets his left knee is coming off an injury.
Mahomes, who underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee last December, spoke to members of the media Saturday for the first time since training camp began. The 10th-year pro continues an expected path toward returning for the team’s Week 1 game, Sept. 14 against the Denver Broncos.
“It feels great. Just pushing every single day, trying to stack days together,” Mahomes said of his knee. “I feel like when you’re tired, sometimes you don’t even think about it. I’m trying to protect it, but at the same time, trying to push it and get myself ready to go for the season.”
Mahomes, who was fully cleared to participate in practices before training camp began, hasn’t been taking it easy on himself. During drills, he’s rolled left and right, taken snaps under center and even shown off his speed while scrambling on a few critical downs in practice.
One example? During Friday’s practice, Mahomes took off while trying to outrun rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods to the sideline in an attempt to gain a first down.
It’s all part of a balance for Mahomes, who says he knows he needs to emphasize getting the ball out quicker this year while running less. That thinking, though, sometimes is challenging when he’s also trying to win a play at all costs.
“I’m not going to lose who I am,” Mahomes said. “But I’m going to try to keep myself smart and keep myself in a position to be out there for my teammates.”
One part of the recovery that’s become more comfortable over time is Mahomes’ knee brace. Though the quarterback fidgeted with it often during non-padded practices, he’s found a better setup recently, keeping the bulky support secure on his leg by placing a spandex leg sleeve over it. Mahomes said that the arrangement does a better job of keeping everything in place, even as he begins to sweat during practice.
It remains doubtful that Mahomes will play during the preseason. Coach Andy Reid said Friday that “percentages probably lean against” the team deploying Mahomes in a preseason game, which the QB said he understands.
“I’m for whatever coach says,” Mahomes said. “As I said, I’m gonna prepare to play. He hasn’t told me anything. So I’ll prepare to play and prepare to get myself ready, and we’ll see where we go from there.”
Mahomes hurt his knee on Dec. 14, meaning it’s been roughly eight months since his injury and subsequent surgery the next day.
Chiefs assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave Toub said he’s been amazed by Mahomes’ recovery from his vantage point at practices.
“I keep watching for anything — any sign of him limping or anything like that. I don’t see anything,” Toub said Saturday. “He just keeps getting better and stronger. It’s exciting — it’s exciting to see where he’s at.”
