Mahomes has since recovered and returned to action, starting in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. In a press conference, he spoke candidly about his return and what it feels like to play after such a severe injury.
“I feel normal, actually,” Mahomes said. “It’s like a blessing and a curse. You’re sore everywhere else because you haven’t played football in so long. And so the knee is the least of my worries right now. I’m just excited to be out there and playing.”
He added that you don’t truly know how you’ll feel until you’re back on the field, but he was able to play and felt good, focusing on recovery routines like ice baths to be ready for the upcoming game.
The injury in question was a torn ACL and LCL sustained during the 2025 season. He underwent surgery within 24 hours and entered a phased recovery program, gradually regaining mobility before the Week 1 matchup.
Mahomes described the recovery as both a blessing and a curse: the blessing being the opportunity to return and compete, and the curse being the extended time away from the game. Still, his performance against the Broncos suggested he appeared to return with little rust.
In that game, while a new signing at running back, Kenneth Walker III, captured attention with MVP-type moments, Mahomes led the offense with the first scoring drive, finishing it with a 15-yard rushing touchdown that energized the team early. Kansas City ultimately defeated Denver 31-10. Mahomes wore a knee brace tucked under his left leg tights, a visible reminder of the injury, but it did not appear to limit his mobility significantly.
Medical staff have given Mahomes a full green light for Week 2, with no injury designation. The bigger question now is the psychological hurdle of trusting the knee under pressure and whether that could affect performance as the season progresses. As the team prepares for their upcoming opponent, all eyes will be on how Mahomes handles pressure and whether his knee can hold up under the season’s peak moments.
In summary, the Chiefs’ post-injury return has shown promise. Mahomes is back on the field, confident in his movement, and eager to continue contributing at a high level. The broader team will rely on his leadership and continued health as they navigate the remainder of the season.
