PHOENIX — It turns out Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has had a front-row seat to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ rehab from a knee injury in the last few months.
That’s because the two have been sharing the Chiefs’ training room.
Mahomes, who tore his ACL and LCL in December, has been rehabbing every day at the team facility. Alongside Mahomes has been Reid, who is recovering from his own offseason knee surgery.
“If we both do it right, we’ll have one good guy: because it’s his left knee and my right knee,” Reid said with a laugh Tuesday at the NFL’s annual meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. “Listen, he’s got to play in a game. All I have to be able to stand up on the sideline. So mine’s a little bit easier than what his is. But he’s done a great job of attacking it. I’ve been right there, been able to watch him do it.”
The latest update from Reid on Mahomes this week? It’s that his QB is still “doing good” in his recovery.
Mahomes has publicly stated a goal to return for Week 1 of the regular season.
“It’s hard to measure, ‘Are you ahead of schedule or not?’ Who makes the schedule, right? And every player is different,” Reid said. “I will tell you, though, I would never bet against him. He’s always going to put in the time and effort and always push it, but within reason, so he doesn’t take steps back. So far, it’s all been positive.”
Mahomes has been working daily with Chiefs assistant athletic trainer Julie Frymyer, who also assisted him through earlier knee and ankle injuries in his career. The QB isn’t getting all of Frymyer’s attention, though.
“Julie warms up on him and then takes it out on me,” Reid said with a smile.
Mahomes also has been doing strength training with longtime personal trainer Bobby Stroupe.
The signs, to this point, are encouraging. Mahomes posted a social media video last week of him doing on-field throwing exercises. That development took place roughly three months after his knee surgery.
Reid was asked Tuesday if there’s a possibility Mahomes returns for some preseason games in August.
“I think the key is, if he’s ready. We’re not going to force something in there,” Reid said. “If we think he’s in a position where he’s sound, yeah, I mean, potentially could. But I’m not telling you one way or the other. I want to see him progress here and keep going.”
The Chiefs also will face a decision in training camp on whether to keep Mahomes on the physically unable to perform list. That would open a roster spot but would also keep the QB from practicing until activated from that list.
Reid vowed to defer to the medical experts on that potential future decision and “cross it as we go” when determining the move in a scenario like that.
“Everybody’s different. Everybody heals different. Everybody’s injuries are a little bit different — (you) kind of put them in a category,” Reid said. “But we’ll see — see where it goes. He’s doing good now, which is a plus.”