Story perspectives

Mahomes cleared for practice, targets season opener.

7/25/2026

Summary

Mahomes Cleared

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was cleared by his physician to practice at the St. Joseph, Missouri camp on July 24 after ACL and LCL surgery.
Patrick Mahomes aims to be ready for the September 14 season opener against Denver Broncos.
Patrick Mahomes said he feels stronger than ever and noted that he consulted Tom Brady (2008 ACL/MCL injury) and exchanged rehab videos with former Chiefs tight end Zach Ertz and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

Summary

Chiefs Acquire Fields

The Chiefs acquired veteran quarterback Justin Fields in a March trade, adding a backup for Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes’ clearance removes him from the Active/PUP list, limiting the team’s ability to shift him to reserve.
Kansas City bought an insurance policy on Mahomes’ knee as a financial safeguard against losing its franchise quarterback.
Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott will start camp on the PUP list while rookie Mansoor Delane completes his physical.

History

Historical Context

In the Patriots’ 2008 opener, Tom Brady tore his ACL and MCL on a hit by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, ending his 111-start streak. The injury left New England 11-5 but out of the playoffs—the first 11-win team to miss them since the 1990 expansion and only the second since the 1985 Broncos—prompting today’s teams to insure quarterbacks and secure backups.

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Mahomes Cleared

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was cleared by his physician to practice at the St. Joseph, Missouri camp on July 24 after ACL and LCL surgery.
Patrick Mahomes aims to be ready for the September 14 season opener against Denver Broncos.
Patrick Mahomes said he feels stronger than ever and noted that he consulted Tom Brady (2008 ACL/MCL injury) and exchanged rehab videos with former Chiefs tight end Zach Ertz and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

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