Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL back in December, has now been fully cleared to practice. Head coach Andy Reid broke the news in his Friday press conference, a development that instantly shifts the entire conversation around the upcoming season. This isn’t solely about getting back on the field, this is about getting the franchise cornerstone completely back in the fold, a pivotal step toward what promises to be a very closely watched comeback. His presence changes the entire vibe, right?
The Road Back to Full Go
Mahomes has been working tirelessly on his rehab, and it clearly paid off. Reid confirmed, “Pat’s doing great with his [rehab],” a crucial update for anyone wondering about his readiness. The sheer speed of his recovery, coming off a major ACL tear less than a year ago, is frankly wild. To be fully cleared to participate in “all the different periods that we have in this camp” is a testament to his dedication and the medical team’s expertise. Reid made it clear that while Mahomes is a full go for practice, he’ll still have “plenty of eyes on him from coaches to trainers to doctors.” That level of scrutiny shows exactly how important this guy is to the team’s fortunes and how carefully they’re managing his return. It is a calculated move to get him back without pushing him too hard, too fast, a balance every fan watches closely.
Week 1 Hopes and Daily Evaluations
Despite the green light for full camp participation, the big question looms: will Mahomes play Week 1? Reid, ever the pragmatist, tempered expectations just a bit. “I’m optimistic, and I know he is extremely optimistic,” the coach stated, but quickly added a dose of reality: “But I think you’ve got to see how things go here. Let’s just see where we’re at and not make any predictions or anything else. Take it day by day and see where it goes.” Mahomes is set to go through his normal reps right from the start of camp. Chiefs quarterbacks and rookies already reported to camp on Friday, July 24, giving them that crucial ramp-up time before the rest of the squad arrives on July 28. Reid doesn’t expect Mahomes’ reps to be handled any differently in camp, a strong signal of confidence in his current physical state.
What happens in actual games, especially that all-important Week 1 opener, is still something we’ll just have to wait on. Reid summed it up perfectly, “We’ll see about games and all that once we get there. But right now, we’re just going to take it day.” The focus remains squarely on his day-to-day progress throughout camp. Every snap he takes, every drill he completes, will be scrutinized as the team heads toward the start of the regular season. This is a massive step forward, but the battle for his Week 1 return is officially underway, and it is going to be appointment viewing for everyone in the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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