Will Patrick Mahomes be ready for Week 1? What latest update on Chiefs star QB means for return

There is never a good time to tear your ACL, but Patrick Mahomes suffered the injury at the best time possible: The Chiefs were minutes away from elimination, yet it was early enough in December to give him a chance to recover in time for Week 1.

So far, Mahomes appears to be right on track.

The Chiefs play their first game exactly nine months to the day after Mahomes tore his ACL, putting a tight timeline on the two-time MVP's recovery, but he received a positive update on Friday as training camp gets underway.

Here's what you need to know about Mahomes' Week 1 status.

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Will Patrick Mahomes be ready for Week 1?

Mahomes was fully cleared to participate in Chiefs training camp on Friday, keeping him on track to potentially play in Week 1.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters that QB Patrick Mahomes, coming off a torn ACL, has been cleared to practice.

"He’s been cleared to participate fully," coach Andy Reid told reporters, adding that the team will "take it day-by-day and see how he does."

Mahomes said on July 15 that he was still aiming to play in Week 1, exactly nine months after the injury.

"I’ve said that since the beginning, is being ready to go Week 1," Mahomes told reporters. "I can’t predict the future, and I know that it’s a long process. It’s not just my decision, but at the same time I’m going to give the doctors and the coaches every single opportunity I can to let me be out there Week 1."

The Chiefs face the Broncos on "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 14.

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When will Patrick Mahomes return?

Mahomes receiving full clearance to participate in training camp doesn't mean he's cleared to play in Week 1, but it means he's on track in his recovery just past the seven-month mark since the injury.

A full training camp without any setbacks should allow Mahomes to play in Week 1, given the Chiefs don't play until two weeks into September. Still, Mahomes has been clear that he will let the Chiefs' medical staff and coaches make the final decision.

What happened to Patrick Mahomes?

Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in a Week 15 loss to the Chargers last season, on a hit from Da'Shawn Hand.

The Chiefs were on the verge of elimination at the time, trailing 16-13 with about two minutes on the clock and needing a win to stay alive. Instead of leading a game-tying or game-winning drive, Mahomes finished the drive in the locker room and Kansas City came up short.

Mahomes was diagnosed with an ACL tear hours later, and an LCL tear was also found during surgery. He underwent surgery the day after the injury with a goal of being ready for the start of the 2026 season.

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Patrick Mahomes injury video

Mahomes went down after being hit from behind by Da'Shawn Hand and grabbed at the back of his knee in pain:

Patrick Mahomes injured. pic.twitter.com/T204BKQUpE

The news of a torn ACL came only a few hours later, after the Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in Mahomes' career.