"We don't know if Mahomes can move": Patrick Mahomes injury concern grows as Chiefs quarterback faces crucial test after surgery

Patrick Mahomes is cleared, healthy enough to practice and preparing to lead the Kansas City Chiefs into another NFL season. Yet one question is hanging over his comeback. After major surgery on his left knee, can the quarterback still create the chaos that makes him so difficult to defend? League executives surveyed by The Athletic are not ready to give a confident yes.Patrick Mahomes injury puts his mobility under the spotlightMahomes tore both his ACL and LCL in his left knee in December before undergoing surgery on December 15. His recovery has progressed well enough for Kansas City to clear him for full participation in training camp, a major step after such a serious injury.Still, being cleared medically is not the same as proving that every part of his game is back.For Mahomes, movement has always been central to his style. He can escape pressure, change direction, extend plays and throw from awkward positions. Those instincts have helped turn broken plays into some of the biggest moments of his career.That is why the concern from NFL executives matters.One executive told The Athletic, "We know Mahomes is good, but I don't know how healthy he is."Another offered an even sharper assessment: "They need tackles, and we don't know if Mahomes can move," the executive said. "That's one team that could really go either way."The Chiefs have protected their star quarterback during the preseason, keeping him out of exhibition games. That decision gives Mahomes more time to build confidence in the repaired knee before the games begin to count.There was also a notable moment during an August practice. Mahomes rolled to his right, stopped quickly to avoid a defender and then found Rashee Rice for a touchdown. It was only a practice rep, but movements like that offer a better glimpse of his recovery than simply standing in the pocket and throwing.Chiefs face bigger challenges beyond Mahomes’ kneeKansas City cannot afford to make Mahomes' recovery its only storyline.The Chiefs have undergone significant changes on defense. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson moved to the Los Angeles Rams, while Bryan Cook joined Cincinnati. Those departures leave Kansas City with important production to replace.The offensive line also has questions. Left tackle Josh Simmons recently missed practice after head coach Andy Reid said his back issue had "flared up."That makes the protection around Mahomes particularly important. A quarterback returning from knee surgery needs time to operate, especially when his team expects him to regain his trademark mobility.Mahomes is also looking to rebound from a difficult 2025 campaign. He passed for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as the Chiefs went 6-11.Now the focus shifts to September 14, when Kansas City is scheduled to face Denver.Mahomes has already answered the first question by returning to full participation. The bigger test will come when defenders are chasing him for real.For the Chiefs, the season may depend on whether their quarterback is merely healthy enough to play, or healthy enough to play like Patrick Mahomes again.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.