Mahomes shows rapid early progress days after ACL and LCL surgery

Patrick Mahomes is making rapid early strides in his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on a torn ACL and LCL following last week's defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers that eliminated the Kansas City Chiefs from playoff contention. A Fox Sports report indicated Mahomes already can bend his left knee to 90 degrees just days after the operation, a mobility milestone that typically appears one to two weeks post-op.

Mahomes suffered a multi-ligament knee injury in the Chiefs' 16-13 loss to the Chargers. The surgery was performed within 24 hours of the injury, addressing the ACL tear along with the LCL damage. The Chiefs flew Mahomes back to Kansas City on Thursday and he began a rehabilitation plan at the team facility on Saturday.

Team officials and medical staff have framed nine months as a general ballpark, with some potential variation. Chiefs chief of sports medicine Rick Burkholder said the procedure went well and that the club remains hopeful Mahomes could return early next season, while acknowledging that every player and sport is different and timelines can shift.

An independent sports medicine physician cautioned that returning for Week 1 next season could leave Mahomes short of full mobility and strength. The physician noted that full knee strength, including stability and explosive power, often takes 12 to 15 months, and that there is an elevated risk of reinjury after surgery. Even so, the doctor suggested Mahomes would likely rely on his football IQ and arm talent to contribute if he is cleared to play early; those strengths can help teams weather a shorter physical window when a star quarterback is involved.

The Chiefs are planning for a range of scenarios as they prepare for the 2026 season, which is expected to begin on Sept. 10, with the reigning Super Bowl champions potentially opening in the days that followed. The team faces the challenge of protecting a franchise quarterback while remaining competitive, especially as Kansas City looks to defend its perch atop the AFC amid ongoing uncertainty about Mahomes's exact readiness.

Public optimism remains tempered by medical realities: a return to full form might require more time, and the team will likely balance caution with the desire to maximize Mahomes's impact upon his return. Chiefs fans will watch closely as Mahomes progresses through rehab, hoping for a path back to the field that preserves both his long-term health and the franchise's championship ambitions.