Patrick Mahomes' Playing Status for Chiefs' 1st Preseason Game Discussed by Reid Amid Injury Rehab

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid suggested Friday that superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not likely to play in the team's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 15.

According to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star, Reid said he is "leaning against" playing Mahomes next weekend. Reid also noted that he isn't yet sure if Mahomes will play in the Chiefs' second or third preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.

Mahomes is working his way back from a torn ACL, which he suffered during the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers back in December.

It was announced last month that Mahomes would be fully cleared for training camp less than eight months after tearing his ACL, and he told reporters at the time, "I feel stronger than I've ever felt, as far as strength and lifting [weights]. I feel amazing. ... I'm excited just to be able to play football. I've been seeing cinderblock walls rehabbing every single day in Kansas City. Now, to be on that practice field with my teammates, it's going to be a lot of fun."

With Mahomes being given the green light for camp, it suggests that he should be ready to go when the Chiefs host the Denver Broncos in their 2026 regular-season opener on Sept. 14.

However, whether the three-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Super Bowl MVP gets any in-game snaps before then remains to be seen.

In an apparent effort to protect against Mahomes potentially missing time at the start of the regular season, the Chiefs traded for 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields in a deal with the New York Jets in March.

If Mahomes does not play next weekend against the Rams, Fields could be in line to start Kansas City's preseason opener.

Rookie seventh-round pick Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun would also figure to receive some time under center during the game.

While there is logic behind the idea of letting Mahomes knock off some rust and test his knee before the regular season, the Chiefs likely also want to take a cautious approach given his importance to their success.