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Patrick Mahomes answers injury questions with highlight TD
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Patrick Mahomes answers injury questions with highlight TD vs. Broncos

It only took Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes one drive to answer any questions about his recovery from a torn ACL.

The two-time MVP, starting nine months to the date he suffered his injury, scrambled for an opening-drive touchdown on "Monday Night Football" against the defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos.

On 2nd-and-goal from the 15-yard line following a holding penalty, Mahomes dropped back to pass but couldn't find an open receiver. He shifted up in the pocket with a stutter-step before finding a rushing lane, taking off and diving into the end zone for the score.

"Same old Patrick," play-by-play announcer Joe Buck commented.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for 15-yard touchdown on first drive since tearing ACL

If this were somebody's first time watching Mahomes, they'd have no idea he had undergone major knee surgery less than a year ago. The three-time Super Bowl MVP didn't appear limited at all, which has to be up there on the list of his most impressive NFL accomplishments.

Head coach Andy Reid wisely didn't put much on Mahomes during the opening drive, beginning with four consecutive handoffs to running back Kenneth Walker. Seven snaps on the 10-play scoring drive were designed runs.

If anything, Mahomes looked more like a quarterback who didn't play a snap during the preseason, showing more rust throwing the football. Through Kansas City's first three drives, he was 2-of-8 for 14 yards, his worst miss an overthrow on a deep attempt to Tyquan Thornton. But another incompletion came when center Creed Humphrey muffed the snap, and the Broncos also tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage.

It was anyone's guess how Mahomes would look so soon after tearing his ACL, but early indications are that his surgically repaired knee is the least of his concerns.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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