Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes fully cleared for training camp participation

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was cleared on Wednesday by team medical staff and Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys' head team physician, to fully participate in training camp. The clearance came two days before Mahomes was scheduled to arrive at Missouri Western State's campus on Friday to begin camp.

Mahomes underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his left knee in December. Earlier this week, according to ESPN, he demonstrated to the medical staff that he can run, cut, and change directions to show he can protect himself around teammates, a prerequisite for full clearance.

Mahomes told ESPN: "I feel stronger than I've ever felt, as far as strength and lifting. I feel amazing." He will continue wearing a compression sleeve and a brace on his left leg during camp, consistent with his practice during the offseason program two months prior. Coach Andy Reid said he does not plan on limiting Mahomes from his usual repetitions.

Mahomes will lead the first-team offense during team periods, or 11-on-11 repetitions, throughout camp for the first time since his December injury. This means he will go through repetitions alongside running back Kenneth Walker III, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton.

However, Reid tempered expectations about the season opener, scheduled for September 14 at home against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. "He's been working so hard that you have a pretty good feel that he's in a good place," Reid said. "We've got to see how things go and not make any predictions about [Week 1]." Mahomes has made it his mission to be the starter for the season opener, and his plan is to improve his movement within the pocket, sharpen his decision-making skills, and throw the ball quicker than he did at times last season.

If Mahomes continues to progress well, the Chiefs will have to decide if he will play in one of the first two preseason games. Throughout his nine-year career, Mahomes has never missed the entire preseason. Mahomes said: "I'm a competitor, so [on] game day, I'm going to want to be out there. But I understand the process of getting myself ready to play in the regular season is more important."

Mahomes received advice and encouragement from Tom Brady and Tyrann Mathieu, both of whom continued their All-Pro careers after sustaining a torn ACL. He acknowledged: "The process isn't over. It'll be something I'll probably be dealing with the next few years of my career and throughout the rest of my career."