Ex-NFL team doctor adamant there’s “no way” Chiefs QB will be 100% healthy for Week 1 Broncos game

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Patrick Mahomes tore an ACL and LCL in his left knee in December, ending his season early. The Kansas City Chiefs, three-time defending Super Bowl champions, finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs entirely. Now, his Week 1 availability for the 2026 season is a big question.

David J. Chao, a former NFL team physician who analyzes injuries under the handle “ProFootballDoc,” gave a medical verdict on Mahomes’ status on Saturday.

Chao, whose LinkedIn lists him as a “former Head Team Physician for San Diego Chargers,” laid out three points on X.

“There is no way Mahomes will be 100% healthy by Week 1,” Chao said.

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His second point was that Patrick Mahomes could throw from the pocket, but Chao warned his mobility would be restricted.

“The Chiefs still don’t know if he’s starting Week 1; it’s only May,” Chao said for his final point.

Patrick Mahomes Week 1 Update Here are the 3 key points: 1️⃣ There is **no way** Mahomes will be 100% healthy by Week 1 2️⃣ He **will** be able to throw from the pocket, but not be the mobile Mahomes we’ve known 3️⃣ The Chiefs still don’t know if he’s starting Week 1 (it’s only

Standard recovery for a combined ACL and LCL tear runs nine to 12 months. The Chiefs’ opener is Sept. 14, sitting right at that nine-month mark, against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

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Andy Reid says Patrick Mahomes “hasn’t missed a day” of rehab

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - Source: ImagnNFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Imagn
NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Source: Imagn

Chiefs coach Andy Reid told NFL Media’s “The Insiders” on Thursday that Patrick Mahomes was “doing great right now” and hadn’t skipped a rehab session. Mahomes posted throwing videos on social media and was seen swinging a golf club at his charity event on Friday, shifting weight onto the repaired knee without issue.

Reid, though, wouldn’t commit to a Week 1 start.

“Everybody’s different, right? So let’s just take it day by day,” he said.

Denver won the AFC West last season, ending Kansas City’s stranglehold on the division, and hosted the AFC championship game. If Mahomes does play, he’ll be doing it against a defense that has recorded back-to-back franchise sack records and has historically given him more trouble than any other AFC West opponent.