Photo credit: Patrick_Mahomes (X)
Patrick Mahomes will not play when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Los Angeles Rams in their 2026 NFL preseason opener on Saturday, Aug. 15. The Chiefs are keeping their star quarterback out as he continues recovering from the left knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Head coach Andy Reid has not committed to using Mahomes in either of the Chiefs’ remaining preseason games, with the team’s main focus centered on having him ready for the regular season opener instead.
Why Mahomes is sitting this one out
Mahomes is taking a careful approach to his return after tearing his ACL and LCL in his left knee late last season. He has shown clear progress throughout training camp and has already returned to full 11 on 11 work. The Chiefs’ official website reported that Mahomes looked strong during practice, but the team is choosing not to rush him into a preseason game.
Reid explained the thinking behind the decision earlier this month, saying he was not certain whether Mahomes would play in the second or third preseason game either, though he acknowledged the odds likely lean against it. He noted the Chiefs have new players at other positions who need reps, and getting them that experience matters more right now than getting Mahomes into a preseason snap.
Justin Fields leads the offense against the Rams
With Mahomes out, Justin Fields gets the first opportunity to run the Chiefs’ offense against the Rams. Fields joined Kansas City this offseason and enters camp as the backup quarterback, having already worked extensively with the starting offense. The team’s official website lists him as the leading option behind Mahomes, while Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun compete for the next spot on the depth chart.
Fields spent the 2025 season with the New York Jets, making nine starts. He completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for 383 yards and four touchdowns.
The rest of the quarterback room
Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun will also see snaps against the Rams. Nussmeier joined Kansas City in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout run at LSU, where he threw 41 touchdowns over his final two seasons. He now enters the preseason competing for the No. 3 quarterback job. Oladokun brings more experience with the organization, returning for his fifth year with the Chiefs.
A pregame boost despite staying on the sideline
Even without taking the field, Mahomes made his presence felt before kickoff, delivering a rousing pregame speech that the Chiefs shared on their official social media account. Kansas City is looking to bounce back after missing the AFC playoffs for the first time since Mahomes became the starting quarterback, finishing 6-11 last season.
Teammates have also offered encouraging signs about his recovery. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, speaking on his own podcast after visiting Chiefs camp, said he did not expect Mahomes to be ready for training camp, let alone Week 1. Mathieu added that Mahomes has no injury designation and looks like his usual self, moving around and staying vocal with teammates.
Kansas City hosts Los Angeles at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday, with coverage available on NFL Network.
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