The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their final preseason game Friday, but Patrick Mahomes will not get the opportunity to test his surgically repaired left knee against the Seattle Seahawks. Mahomes has been progressing well since undergoing surgery to repair torn ACL and LCL ligaments in December and has not missed a practice since being cleared for training camp.
Mahomes said Tuesday that his recovery has continued to trend in the right direction as he has increased his workload. The three-time Super Bowl MVP explained that getting through the grind of training camp without needing additional days off has been an important checkpoint in his recovery (via ESPN reporter Nate Taylor).
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But on Wednesday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid made the decision official: Mahomes will not play Friday against Seattle, with rookie Garrett Nussmeier set to start.
Reid also ruled out Josh Simmons, Jack Cochrane, Ashton Gillotte, Jimmy Holiday, Chris Oladokun and C.J. Hanson for the preseason finale.
Mahomes had expressed interest in getting some preseason action, saying he would love to play against Seattle if Reid allowed him to. Instead, the Chiefs will continue taking the cautious approach with their franchise quarterback, who remains on track to start the regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14.
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Nussmeier is expected to receive an extended opportunity with Oladokun unavailable. The seventh-round pick has completed 22 of 36 passes for 172 yards through two preseason appearances and will get a chance to strengthen his case for a roster spot.
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