At the top of most fan concerns is the status of left tackle Josh Simmons, who has been out of practice since midway through training camp with a back ailment. On Tuesday, head coach Andy Reid conceded that there is a “good chance” the team plays without its starting blindside blocker.

Other injury news is (mostly) encouraging.

Reid all but confirmed the worst-kept secret in the NFL: Patrick Mahomes (barring an unexpected late setback) will be starting in Week 1 after suffering multiple torn ligaments in December.

“There’s a pretty good chance Patrick will go ahead and start,” Reid predicted, “unless something were to come up in the next couple of days. Most likely, he’ll be the guy that’s out there.”

Mahomes has met every threshold Reid hoped for in his recovery.

“He’s shown everything, there.” Reid explained. “He hasn’t missed a day…Other than having a brace on his leg, everything looks normal. He’s running around the same way he’s always done and throwing the ball the way he’s always done. I think we’ll be fine there.”

Also in Mahomes’ favor, Reid does not anticipate any limitations for his top wide receiver in Rashee Rice. Rice saw his offseason interrupted by a combination of a short jail sentence and a cleanup surgery from a 2024 knee injury. After being limited much of camp, Rice should be ready to go.

“I liked the way he’s progressed coming off the knee,” observed Reid. “Every day, he’s gotten better and stronger. His endurance is better. He had a chance to play in the last game a few plays. I thought that was important. I think he’ll be fine going into this game.”

Kansas City also navigated injuries at the safety position in the latter stages of camp. Chamarri Conner has been sidelined throughout the preseason with a knee issue. The Chiefs also scratched their other starter, veteran Alohi Gilman, just before the team’s second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with back pain.

Reid’s update on the two was mixed.

“Chamarri would be a stretch,” Reid noted. “Gilman was out there practicing and doing his thing. He’ll be ready to go, I think.”

In his Tuesday remarks, Reid did not address the status of safety Ashton Gillotte, who reportedly ruptured his planter fascia in a camp practice. The team was reportedly hopeful that Gillotte could be recovered in time to face the Broncos.

With the Monday night contest, the Chiefs and Broncos will issue official injury reports on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.