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The Kansas City Chiefs finished 6-11 last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Adding insult to injury, QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL on December 14 in Week 15.
A full ACL recovery typically entails a 9-to-12 month absence, putting Mahomes’ status in question for the start of the 2026 season. Week 1 is just around the corner, with the Chiefs opening the regular season against the Broncos on September 14.
Let’s look at the latest Patrick Mahomes injury update and if he could play in Week 1 vs. the Broncos. Plus, we’ll look at Mahomes’ impact on fantasy football and projections for PrizePicks.
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Patrick Mahomes Injury Update: Mahomes’ Week 1 Status
Mahomes has made promising progress from his ACL injury, consistently appearing on the field throughout training camp.
However, head coach Andy Reid opted not to feature Mahomes during the preseason. Keep in mind Mahomes made two preseason appearances in every year from 2022 to 2025, even logging double-digit snaps in at least one preseason game each season.
Despite the preseason absence, Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network recently reported Mahomes is on track to play in Week 1, pointing out his strong training camp.
Last week, Kansas City’s superstar QB discussed any hesitation following the injury, “There hasn’t been yet—being a competitor, I want to go out there and win. I want to go out there and give everything I have for the team.”
Mahomes finding a way to quickly return from injury is nothing new. His gritty performance with a high ankle sprain throughout the 2023 playoffs is one example that comes to mind, helping the Chiefs win a second consecutive Super Bowl during that run.
Being cleared by the medical staff will be Mahomes’ main hurdle. He was cleared to participate in all training camp football activities in late July, but the two-time MVP still awaits official clearance for a game.
For now, we have no official confirmation of Mahomes playing on September 14 vs. the Broncos in a must-see Monday Night Football collision. But his track record and strong training camp provide optimistic expectations.
The Week 1 board is already open on PrizePicks, and Mahomes currently carries More or Less for 224.5 passing yards vs. the Broncos, once again emphasizing the expectation to suit up in the season opener.
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Patrick Mahomes Fantasy Football Outlook for 2026
Mahomes’ status will of course have a direct impact on the Chiefs and fantasy football.
Entering the 2026 season, Kansas City has a 1.4x payout to reach 9+ wins and a 1.47x payout to qualify for the playoffs. The Chiefs are also the early favorite to win the AFC West (2.7x payout), and that could drop if Mahomes is active in Week 1.
FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP) currently ranks Mahomes 119 overall and as QB15. In the 2025 season, his 21.1 fantasy points per game finished tied for second among quarterbacks.
Furthermore, there’s a real case for this offense to improve—which posted only 21.3 PPG (20th) and 5.1 yards per play (22nd) last season.
The run game took a backseat with a 40.5% rush-play rate (27th) and 4.2 yards per carry (20th), but the franchise looked to improve that by signing RB Kenneth Walker III and drafting RB Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
If the run game improves, that certainly helps Mahomes’ case to improve fantasy output. Plus, rookie WR Cyrus Allen comes off an excellent offseason, while WR1 Rashee Rice enters the season healthy following only four and eight games in his last two seasons.
When Mahomes officially returns from injury, the superstar QB will likely operate an improved unit, potentially leading to a boosted fantasy football stock. PrizePicks projects Mahomes with 3,649.5 passing yards, 24.5 pass TDs, and 10 INTs for the 2026 season.
If he misses any time to begin the regular season, QB Justin Fields is expected to be the primary backup. Fields had plenty of tune-up time in the preseason, recording 17, 38, and 15 snaps.
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Make 2026 NFL Predictions on PrizePicks
Mahomes comes off a strong training camp, aiding his chance to return from a torn ACL in Week 1 vs. the Broncos. While the Chiefs’ superstar QB seems on track to return sooner rather than later, Kansas City still awaits official confirmation for his clearance, opening the door for QB Justin Fields to get action early in the 2026 campaign.
The NFL regular season begins on September 9, and users can make NFL predictions for the upcoming 2026 season, such as the Super Bowl winner, divisional winners, and win totals, on PrizePicks Team Picks—available in 36 states!
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily NFL news as the 2026 regular season approaches.
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