Mahomes rested for the preseason
Patrick Mahomes is unlikely to play in the preseason. Andy Reid said as much on Friday. The Kansas City Chiefs coach warned reporters before the first game against the Rams, set for August 15.
Reid did not waste any time. He ruled out the idea of throwing his quarterback into the full preseason slate. “There is a strong chance I won’t play him against the Rams, the odds point that way,” the coach said. “I don’t know if I’d use him in the second or third game either. The odds lean against that too.”
The reason is clear enough. Mahomes is still recovering from surgery. He underwent an operation to repair the anterior cruciate ligament and the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee.
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An injury that cost the Chiefs dearly
Cast your mind back to December 14. Mahomes went down in the final minutes of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. That defeat knocked Kansas City out of the playoff race.
The league’s two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP was already coming off a rough season. Probably the worst of his career. He finished with a 62.7 percent completion rate for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Three numbers at their lowest since he became the starter in 2018.
Reid also wants to take a closer look at his other options. Justin Fields, rookie Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun are all pushing for snaps. “We’ve got new guys at those spots behind him. The more reps they get, the better,” the coach said.
Targeting a return on September 14
The schedule gives Kansas City some breathing room. The Chiefs host the Rams on August 15, then the Buccaneers on August 22 and the Seahawks on August 28. The regular season starts at home against the Broncos on September 14. Mahomes, who turns 31 on September 17, has time to get back without being rushed.
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