KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The two-time MVP quarterback continues working toward a Week 1 comeback with the Kansas City Chiefs, marking a significant milestone in his rehabilitation from torn left knee ligaments by joining teammates for voluntary practice sessions this week.
During Thursday’s organized team activities — the first session open to media observation — the star quarterback took part in individual exercises and 7-on-7 formations. He sported a black protective brace covering his surgically repaired knee, where both ACL and LCL damage was addressed, and though he moved around effectively while jogging, he occasionally paused to readjust the equipment.
Considering the surgery occurred just five months ago, this represents meaningful progress in his rehabilitation journey.
“It’s good to be back on the field and just be with the guys, more than anything,” Mahomes said. “Some of those days you’re rehabbing with yourself, or with a couple of guys, and you get a little juice when the other guys are out there.”
However, Kansas City remains cautious about managing that enthusiasm.
The quarterback has yet to receive medical clearance from Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas-based orthopedist who performed the procedure, or the Kansas City training staff for complete team participation. Running and sharp cutting movements on the affected knee remain off-limits for now.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid avoided setting specific deadlines for his franchise quarterback’s full return, although Mahomes has consistently maintained he’ll be ready when Kansas City faces Denver on Sept. 14 in a Monday night game at Arrowhead Stadium.
The more pressing concern involves whether he’ll be available when training camp begins in approximately two months.
“It’s kind of, ‘We’ll see,’” Mahomes said. “You have these week-to-two week checkpoints that I have to get to. The biggest thing for me now is to get to the running and cutting. … Until I’m able to protect myself and get out there, they’re going to keep me safe. But if I can continue to do things the right way, that’s the hope for me at least.”
Rather than spending the offseason at his Texas residence, where Chiefs receivers and tight ends typically gather for quarterback-led workouts, Mahomes has remained in Kansas City almost daily since his December surgery — which occurred the day following his injury against the Chargers — focusing on rehabilitation under trainer Julie Frymyer’s supervision.
His daily routine includes early arrival at the facility for rehab work, followed by standard team meetings. This week introduced on-field activities, after which he completes recovery protocols and additional rehabilitation sessions.
“Then I go home and chase kids around until I fall asleep,” Mahomes said.
“I think everybody is different in how you go about it,” Reid said, “but I wouldn’t put it past where he’s at, and I don’t judge it. People say, ‘Is he ahead of schedule?’ Well, who made the schedule? Everybody is different. The way he goes about it is different. He and Julie have spent a ton of time working together, and she’s tough on him. She puts him through the ropes. And he’s willing to come back.
“Half the battle on that, besides the healing part, is trusting the person doing the rehab with you, and then showing up the next day.”
The team will conduct another voluntary workout session next week — Reid noted nearly complete participation despite the optional status. A mandatory three-day minicamp follows beginning June 9, with a break before training camp commences.
While Kansas City hasn’t announced their St. Joseph, Missouri arrival date, it typically occurs around July 21. This timeline provides Mahomes roughly two additional months for continued rehabilitation before serious regular season preparation begins.
“The first step was getting to 7-on-7, and for me, it was more seeing the defense. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out there, seeing the plays develop,” Mahomes said. “The next step will be getting with the team and getting under center and stuff like that. But we will progress to that. And then it will be going out there live with the guys, and then we’ll be playing games.”
