Andy Reid Reveals Patrick Mahomes' Status Ahead of Crucial Chiefs Match
Patrick Mahomes will not play in the Kansas City Chiefs' pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Andy Reid has confirmed.
Reid is protecting his franchise quarterback, and it's no surprise given the severity of Mahomes' knee injury. The quarterback suffered a complete tear of the ACL and significant damage to the LCL during a December 2025 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mahomes underwent dual-ligament reconstruction surgery and has spent seven months recovering. On July 24, 2026, Reid announced Mahomes was fully cleared for 11-on-11 contact at the start of training camp. However, the decision to keep him out of at least two pre-season games removes any risk of contact before the real thing.
Justin Fields will start instead and is expected to play into the second quarter on Saturday. Trey Smith, Josh Simmons, and Ashton Gillotte will also sit the game out. Reid had already hinted at this approach, saying a week before the Rams meeting that the percentages likely lean against playing Mahomes in the first pre-season game.
The caution makes sense when you remember Mahomes was scrambling during the fourth quarter of the Chargers game when an awkward hit buckled his left knee. He has been wearing a brace on his left knee, but teammates have said he looks sharp and shows 'zero limitations'.
Keeping Mahomes out of at least two pre-season games removes any risk of contact before the real thing. After Tampa Bay, the Chiefs host the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, August 28. But the only date that truly matters is September 14, when Kansas City opens the regular season against the Denver Broncos.
Source: Yahoo Sports