Patrick Mahomes testing knee in Chiefs camp: 'It feels great' - ESPN

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Quarterback Patrick Mahomes smiled Saturday when he thought about his left knee, the same knee he has tested the past two weeks during Kansas City Chiefs training camp.

«It feels great,» Mahomes said. «When you're tired sometimes, you don't even think about [the knee]. I'm trying to protect it, but at the same time trying to push it and get myself ready to go for the season.»

Mahomes said he has had more and more moments where he scrambled out of the pocket without having to consider his left knee, which was surgically repaired in December after he tore his ACL and LCL. Those repetitions, which also happened in Saturday's on-field work, are further validation to Mahomes that he is on track to be the Chiefs' starter for their season opener, a home game Sept. 14 against the Denver Broncos on ESPN's «Monday Night Football.»

When camp began, Mahomes said one of his top priorities was to improve his movement within the pocket, especially since it was going to be his first 11-on-11 since surgery. In the past week, though, Mahomes said he has had to alter his mindset when he does decide to scramble.

«I try to be smart, but there's just sometimes where, in camp, you're trying to compete and practices are long,» he said. «I mean, you want to win the rep. There's times where I do forget about it and just play football.»

The perfect example occurred during Friday's padded practice. During a two-minute, 11-on-11 drill, Mahomes noticed quickly that his passing options were covered on a fourth-down play. He scrambled to his right, showing noticeable speed in his attempt to reach the first-down marker. Rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods closed Mahomes' angle to the sideline, so the quarterback cut back and used his