Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' latest injury news was cautioned by an NFL insider's update
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
There was an important Patrick Mahomes injury update on March 25, as the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback posted a video of himself simulating a QB dropback and passing attempt from a nonexistent pocket. This clip made fans hopeful that Mahomes would return well before Week 1. However, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport downplayed the significance of the Chiefs superstar’s recovery news later that evening on March 25.
Ian Rapoport
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: To see Patrick Mahomes on the field was a great sign. But the #Chiefs QB has a ways to go.
Although Rapoport did begin by noting that this is an “excellent sign” for the Chiefs and Mahomes, he continued with a more cautionary message.
“That said, there is still some uncertainty,” the insider told viewers. “There’s a lot of uncertainty because he is just three months out from a nine-to-twelve-month recovery.”
“It is not just an ACL tear. It is also an LCL tear,” Rapoport explained. “[Mahomes underwent] surgery right away just to accelerate the rehab. It [is] also the kind of thing that can take a little bit longer. The knee can be a little stiff.”
Finally, Rapoport finished his injury update by stating very clearly that Mahomes is still no guarantee to start Week 1.
“If Patrick Mahomes is not ready in September, he is just not going to be on the field,” Rapoport relayed. “This is a conservative and very good medical staff. That is why they traded for Justin Fields — who has plenty of starter experience — even if it’s just for the first couple of games of the season.”
Translation: Mahomes is making quick progress, but his knee injury is a complicated one. There are still several variables that could delay his return, and at this time, it’s still too early to say how long his recovery will take.