Patrick Mahomes Addresses Knee Concerns After Broncos Game

Mahomes received an immediate confidence boost on Kansas City’s opening drive, even though one of his scrambles going for a touchdown was erased by a penalty, turning that into a 15-yard score on the following play.

“That was definitely the moment physically where that kind of said all this work has paid off,” Mahomes said. “Like, I didn’t feel anything. And so it’s still a process; I still have to keep getting better and better and stay on top of it, but this is obviously a great first week.”

Mahomes finished with 184 passing yards and two touchdowns while rushing seven times for 23 yards and another score while wearing a lightweight brace protecting his repaired knee.

The Chiefs quarterback participated throughout training camp but did not play during the preseason. Monday marked Mahomes’ first opportunity to absorb live contact since the injury.

“For me, running, like I said, I wasn’t going to go for the end zone, [but] it kind of gave me that confidence back and let me be out there and be myself,” Mahomes said.

Speaking of running, Chiefs rusher Kenneth Walker III helped ease Mahomes back into action by rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in his Kansas City debut.

The Chiefs will look to build on their opening victory when they face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 at 8:20 p.m. ET.