Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced on Friday, August 7, 2026, that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is unlikely to play in any preseason games as he recovers from left knee surgery, leaving the door open for new backup Justin Fields to handle starting reps.
While the team worked through a two-hour session on Friday, August 7, 2026, the central focus remained on how the franchise will manage its star signal-caller through the upcoming weeks.
Preseason Plans and the Mahomes Recovery Timeline
Patrick Mahomes has spent the early weeks of training camp looking sharp, roughly eight months removed from the surgery he underwent in December to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. He has rolled out of pockets, taken snaps under center, and occasionally scrambled while wearing a bulky brace on his left leg. Yet, despite being fully cleared to participate in practice, the two-time MVP may sit out the entirety of the exhibition schedule.
“There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him. Percentages are leaning that way. I don’t know if I’ll play him the second or third game; I don’t know that, but percentages probably.”
Andy Reid, Head Coach
The Chiefs open their preseason slate on Saturday, August 15, against the Los Angeles Rams. While Mahomes has historically favored getting hit at least once in a game setting during the preseason to reacclimate to game speed, team management is opting for a conservative approach. Acting offensive coordinator Joe Bleymaier noted earlier in the week that any knee issues have looked nonexistent
from his perspective on the field.
Justin Fields Stepping Into Extended Reps
With Mahomes likely sidelined for August, the coaching staff plans to evaluate new additions on the roster. The Chiefs acquired Justin Fields via a trade with the Jets in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. Fields now anchors the quarterback room behind Mahomes, competing alongside seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun.
We got new people in those other positions behind him that need some work,
Reid explained when detailing the rationale behind keeping Mahomes on the sideline. So the more reps they get, the better.
The quarterback rotation gains urgency as Kansas City looks to rebound from a difficult 2025 campaign. Following a stretch of 10 consecutive playoff appearances and three Super Bowl titles between 2015 and 2024, the Chiefs finished last year at 6-11 and missed the postseason. Mahomes started 14 games in 2025, completing
Camp Injuries and Roster Management in St. Joe
Beyond the quarterback room, the Chiefs managed a lengthy injury report on Friday. Right guard Trey Smith missed his first practice of camp due to hip discomfort and was sent to a specialist as a precaution. Reid expressed confidence that Smith will be fine. Other players limited or sidelined included linebacker Jeffrey Bassa with a groin issue, defensive end Ashton Gillotte with a hamstring strain, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed managing a knee problem, and linebacker Drue Tranquill dealing with lower-back tightness.
On the positive side, rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen returned to the field in pads for the first time since suffering a shin bruise on Monday, participating in a limited capacity to ease back into contact work. Meanwhile, cornerback Mansoor Delane continued working through a shoulder injury while wearing a non-contact jersey.
With the regular-season opener scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, against the Denver Broncos, the overarching priority remains ensuring Mahomes is fully ready for meaningful action. General manager Brett Veach previously noted in May that the quarterback’s rehab was running well ahead of schedule, supporting the veteran’s stated goal of returning right at the start of the schedule.
