Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is refusing to guarantee quarterback Patrick Mahomes will start in Week 1 of the regular season as he continues recovering from a torn ACL.
Mahomes tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last December, an injury that typically requires extensive rehabilitation and keeps players sidelined for the opening weeks of the following season. Despite progress that makes it highly likely he will miss no regular season action, Reid is taking a cautious approach with the two-time Most Valuable Player.
Speaking to the Kansas City Star, Reid explained that any decision on Mahomes will depend on ongoing medical evaluations and how the quarterback feels as opening day approaches.
"He's doing great," Reid said, per the Kansas City Star. "We'll just see. I'm literally taking it day by day. There are no predictions here on anything. But if the doctors and the trainers and everybody that are involved with this give him an OK, and then most of all, if he feels like he can, then we'll address that when we get there."
Reid noted that Kansas City's other quarterbacks have performed well during preparation for the new campaign. Mahomes has not featured in either of the Chiefs' preseason games so far, giving his head coach further reason to remain patient before putting him back on the field.
Backup quarterback plan and schedule
If Mahomes is not cleared to play in Week 1, the Chiefs are expected to turn to former New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields. Kansas City acquired Fields as an insurance policy in case Mahomes' rehabilitation ran longer than anticipated.
Since joining the Chiefs, Fields has established himself as the team's primary backup quarterback and has played in both of Kansas City's preseason contests. The Chiefs have one remaining preseason game before opening their regular season schedule at home against division rivals the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Postseason impact of Mahomes injury
Kansas City is looking to return to playoff contention after failing to reach the postseason last year following Mahomes' injury in December. The quarterback's knee injury ended a 10-year streak of playoff appearances for the franchise.
