Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes raised some fears when he arrived for training camp with what appeared to be an impacted left leg, but coach Andy Reid put some of those to rest this week.
Mahomes was cleared to fully participate in training camp after spending the offseason rehabbing from a torn ACL. Some fans and reporters questioned whether Mahomes may have lost muscle mass in the surgically repaired leg, but Reid said this week that he is showing a good amount of strength.
Patrick Mahomes Fears Put to Rest
Mahomes has been forced to wear a brace on his left knee through the first week of training camp and has looked uncomfortable at times, but Reid said this week that the leg has regained its strength.
“Yeah, he looked pretty good today, I thought. Strong,” Reid said, via NBC Sports. “You see the strength in his legs, which is important with a leg injury. You kind of look at that first. See how his feet are moving, feet are moving well. So, I thought it was positive. I mean, I thought he looked well.”
That addressed the fear that some raised about Mahomes having a thinner left leg.
“Mahomes has a skinny leg,” Jeff Mueller, an NFL injury analyst, in a post on X as Mahomes was arrived to training camp on July 25
The Chiefs are expected to take a slow approach with Mahomes, moving him along slowly and potentially keeping him out of preseason games. Reid said the team will continue to monitor him closely through training camp to make sure he’s not pushing the leg any more than it can handle.
“I’m obviously giving a close eye on him. I’m not the doctor, but I’m keeping a close eye on the small things, technique-wise,” Reid said. “But he’s prepared for those things and [assistant athletic trainer] Julie [Frymyer] has done a great job with him, with his rehab of really giving him opportunities to push off, whether it’s lateral or straight ahead to make sure he can escape as needed.”
Patrick Mahomes Facing Pressure
The Chiefs are on track to start Mahomes in Week 1, though many analysts have predicted that it could take longer for him to return to his previous level of strength and athleticism. That could create a difficult situation for the Chiefs, who will be under pressure to move on from the disappointing 2025 season, when they fell short of the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
The team has other question marks on offense, including the role that tight end Travis Kelce could play after his return. The veteran had considered retirement before returning to sign a three-year contract, but his production over the last two seasons had dipped from his previous All-Pro levels.
The Chiefs face long-term questions as well, including the future of wide receiver Rashee Rice. He is heading into the final year of his contract and has been held back by injuries and off-the-field troubles.
Chiefs Announce Patrick Mahomes News After Injury Worries