Patrick Mahomes is on track to start the Kansas City Chiefs' season opener against the Denver Broncos. Andy Reid's latest update offered plenty of encouragement about the quarterback's recovery.

Reid spoke to reporters on Tuesday ahead of the Chiefs' return to practice Thursday. Mahomes has spent the offseason working back from the ACL and LCL injuries that ended his 2025 season.

"He [Mahomes] showed everything there," Reid said. "He hasn't missed a day, as you know, and you guys have seen him out there. ....Him running around and doing his stuff. Having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. ...I think we're fine there."

Mahomes has not played in the preseason, but Kansas City has allowed him to work through his recovery without missing practice. Reid's comments suggest the team has seen enough to feel comfortable putting him back in a regular-season game.

Mahomes suffered ACL and LCL tears in the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last season and underwent surgery the following day. Nine months later, he is on track to start the opener.

There is still one obvious reminder of what Mahomes has been through. He'll wear a brace when he takes the field, but Reid said his movement and throwing look normal.

"As far as our roster goes, pretty good chance that Patrick (Mahomes) will go ahead and start unless something were to come up here in the next couple of days," Reid told reporters on September 8, via Chiefs YouTube. "But most likely, he'll be the guy that's out there."

The quarterback news comes with a less encouraging update elsewhere on the offensive line.

Rashee Rice gives Patrick Mahomes another weapon

Rice has made steady progress from his offseason knee surgery and played a few snaps in the Chiefs' final preseason game. Reid said the wide receiver has looked better each day, with his endurance also improving.

"I like the way he's progressed here," Reid said in the same video. "Coming off the knee, every day he's gotten better and stronger, and his endurance is better. He had a chance to play in the last game, a few plays, and I thought that was important, but I think he'll be fine going into this game."

Rice's availability gives Mahomes another established option as he returns to game action. The Chiefs will need their offense to find its rhythm quickly against a Denver defense that led the NFL in sacks last season.

That pass rush also makes the situation at left tackle worth watching. Josh Simmons has not practiced since suffering a back injury on August 18, and Reid said there is a good chance he won't play Monday.

If Simmons sits, undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson could move to left tackle. Benson played almost exclusively on the right side at Indiana, making the assignment a significant test in his first NFL season.

Kansas City also has injury questions elsewhere. Safety Chamarri Conner has missed practice with a knee injury, while Alohi Gilman has been trending toward playing after dealing with a back issue.

The Chiefs will have a few decisions to make before Monday night, but the biggest one appears settled. Barring a late setback, Mahomes will be under center for his return against Denver.

Written by

Evince Das