Patrick Mahomes out for Chiefs preseason opener due to knee recovery

Patrick Mahomes will not play in the Kansas City Chiefs' 2026 preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, August 15, as he continues recovering from a left knee injury that ended his 2025 season. He tore his ACL and LCL late last year.

Head coach Andy Reid has not committed to using Mahomes in any preseason game, saying the percentages lean against it. Justin Fields is expected to start, with Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun also getting snaps at quarterback.

The team's priority is having Mahomes ready for the regular season. He has returned to 11-on-11 work in practice, but the Chiefs are not rushing him.