Mahomes cleared for training camp, remains on course for Broncos-Chiefs season opener

Patrick Mahomes is a healthy training camp away from being back behind center when the Broncos visit Kansas City for the teams’ regular-season opener on Sept. 14.

He crossed another threshold in his recovery from last December’s knee injury when he was cleared for full participation in training camp Friday. Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced that status Friday.

That would seem to put the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player on track to be ready for the Monday Night Football duel in Week 1, but Reid offered a note of caution.

“We’ll see about games and all that once we get there. But right now, we’re just going to take it day by day and see how he does,” Reid said. “But he’s been given clearance.

“He’s been up here every day, doing his thing, rehabbing. I mentioned before how much time he spent — if anybody spent time doing this thing the right way, he’s it. We appreciate that. And he’s been given clearance by the doctors to work. And they’re pretty comfortable with that. But keeping an eye on him.”

MAHOMES “EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC” ABOUT HIS PROGRESS

“I’m optimistic, and I know he is extremely optimistic,” Reid elaborated when discussing Mahomes at his press conference.

“But I think you’ve got to see how things go here. Let’s just see where we’re at and not make any predictions or anything else,” Reid said. “Take it day by day and see where it goes.”

At the same time, the NFL wouldn’t have scheduled the Chiefs and Broncos to open in such a prime slot if it didn’t have a good idea that Mahomes would be ready for the contest. A battle with Kansas City led by Justin Fields doesn’t have the same “oomph,” in the parlance of Vic Fangio.

Reid wants to keep expectations reasonable. But at the same time, it would be a shock if the Broncos face Kansas City without Mahomes at the wheel.

That will significantly increase their challenge compared to where it was last Christmas, when Chris Oladokun started in relief of Mahomes. The Broncos’ win that night was their first at Arrowhead since 2015.

And against the Mahomes-led Chiefs, Denver is 2-13 overall — but 2-2 with Sean Payton at the helm — and 0-7 in Kansas City. But they were a blocked field goal away from a win at Arrowhead in 2024, so, there’s plenty of reason for Broncos optimism — even with their long-time tormentor on track to play.

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