Patrick Mahomes Updates Injury Return Timeline, Return to Field at Chiefs OTAs amid Rehab

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, provided an update during Thursday regarding whether he'll be able to be ready for the start of training camp in late July.

"It's kind of, 'We'll see,'" Mahomes said, per Dave Skretta of the Associated Press. "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."

Mahomes participated in individual work and seven-on-seven drills during voluntary offseason team activities on Thursday, per Skretta. His stated goal is to be ready for Week 1, when the Chiefs host the defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos on Monday, Sept. 14.

"That's always going to be the goal," Mahomes said Thursday, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I don't want to miss games. I mean, as a competitor, as a football player, I want to be there. I know it's still a long ways away. I can't predict the future. So, all I can do is be great today and then continue to be great tomorrow. But I've gotten to where I've gotten to because of that mindset. The goal at the end — the very far end — is to be ready and to able to go out there and play with the guys Week 1 at Arrowhead. But I've got to take it day by day."

Seeing Mahomes practice five-and-a-half months after suffering two knee ligament tears is certainly a good sign that he'll be able to return for Week 1, as is hearing him mention the possibility that he can be available for training camp in two months.

As far as what's next, Mahomes gave an idea on his next steps.

"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."

Voluntary OTAs continue next week before the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp runs from Tuesday, June 9 to Thursday, June 11.