The Chiefs Star Sets the Standard
Patrick Mahomes has drawn a hard line in the sand regarding his return timeline. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback insists he will be under center for the season opener, according to NY Post Sports. This isn’t a hopeful guess or a vague promise from the front office. Mahomes stated directly that being ready for the first game was the plan from the day of his surgery. He tore his ACL last December 14 and doctors gave him a nine-month recovery window. That timeline aligns perfectly with the start of the regular season. He feels healthy enough to practice daily without needing extra recovery days. The grind of training camp is actually helping his body adjust to game speed.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy noted how Mahomes acts like a coach on the sideline during preseason action. Even though he isn’t playing, his presence drives the team forward. Bieniemy admitted that watching from the sidelines could drive someone crazy, but Mahomes is itching to help the team win. Mahomes himself said that practicing day after day can be harder than the regular season. He feels better the more he practices. This confidence comes after he missed the entire preseason, which would be a first in his 10-year career. The team medical staff hasn’t cleared him for Friday’s finale against the Seattle Seahawks yet. He is waiting on that final green light before stepping onto the field for real.
Injury Scare and Lingering Concerns
While Mahomes pushes forward, other stars face different hurdles. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase left practice Tuesday after landing awkwardly on a deep route. It looked like a serious knee injury at first glance. Chase put minds at ease shortly after by appearing on Cincinnati’s ESPN 1530 radio station. He confirmed he was fine after suffering a minor hyperextension. Strictly as a precaution, the team kept him out despite his feeling well enough to complete practice. With Joe Burrow declaring a similar status, the Bengals are managing their stars carefully. This minor scare could have turned into a major headline if the team didn’t act fast.
Elsewhere in the league, Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett is raising eyebrows with his mysterious knee issue. Garrett has barely practiced since training camp opened on July 27. He participated fully just twice after the Rams initially described his knee as sore. Joint practices and preseason games remain off limits for the current NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He continues to work out individually, but the lack of full-team reps is concerning. Garrett shrugged off the issue when asked, saying he is allowed to get sore because he is a little old. He claimed they are just making sure he gets back to 100%. Rams head coach Sean McVay expected Garrett and Puka Nacua to return this week, but neither has practiced yet. Nacua suffered a psoas injury in his lower back during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on August 11. The Rams open the regular season on September 10 in Melbourne, Australia, which adds pressure to every missed practice.
Mahomes locking in a Week 1 start changes the entire tone for the Chiefs. Teams usually wait until the final preseason game to declare a starter. Mahomes has already set the expectation that he will go. This removes the distraction of a backup quarterback taking reps in a meaningless preseason finale. The focus shifts entirely to how the offense clicks with its new pieces. If Mahomes feels the grind of camp is harder than the regular season, he is preparing mentally and physically for the long haul. His body has responded the right way, and he didn’t have to take days off. This consistency is rare for a player coming off a major knee surgery. The Chiefs don’t need a slow ramp-up. They need their leader ready to throw on Day 1.
The situation with Chase and Garrett shows how thin the margin for error is. Chase avoided a major setback, but the Rams’ uncertainty with Garrett is dangerous. Missing a month of practice before a season opener in Australia is a massive risk. If Garrett isn’t ready, the Rams lose their best pass rusher right out of the gate. The contrast between Mahomes’ certainty and Garrett’s mystery highlights the importance of injury management. Mahomes is pushing the limits to be ready, while Garrett is holding back to ensure he is 100%. Both approaches make sense, but the Chiefs have the advantage of knowing their plan is solid. The NFL is a league of inches and timing. Mahomes has secured the timing for his return.
The Kansas City Chiefs will play their final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday. Mahomes is not expected to play in this contest as he awaits final medical clearance. The regular season begins soon after, with the Chiefs facing the Denver Broncos in Week 1. The Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to open their season on September 10 in Melbourne, Australia.
