Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says he’s ‘ahead of schedule’ in recuperation from toe surgery

Patrick Mahomes said Monday that he is early in his recuperation in the wake of having surgery for turf toe not long after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LV misfortune to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I think I’m progressing well,” said Mahomes, who felt well enough recently to travel to Georgia and attend the Masters Tournament with, among others, teammate Travis Kelce. “I think I’m ahead of schedule myself. Obviously, we’re trying to be cautious. We’re not pushing me out there too soon. But I’m doing what I can. I’ve gotten out of the boot finally. It took forever. Now I’m trying to get back on the field and get that stuff working. I’m sure they’ll keep me on that same pathway and that hopefully I can do some stuff by the end of the offseason.”

The Chiefs started their offseason program Monday yet aren’t scheduled to start practice as a group until late May. They’ll complete for the offseason in June. If Mahomes is on the field for that, the Chiefs anticipate that their quarterback should be ready for action for the start of training camp in July.

“He’s got great flexibility in that toe,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “He worked his tail off, not a real fun thing for him to do with that. It seems like a small thing, but that toe is rather large and stiff before the surgery and after the surgery, so he’s really worked hard to get that right.”

Mahomes, another dad, and Reid said they’ve gotten their immunizations for COVID-19. Reid said around 18 Chiefs players have been immunized.

“To me it was more of a personal decision with having a baby girl and knowing I was going to be around people,” Mahomes said. “I wanted to make sure I did whatever I could to help keep her healthy.”

Said Reid, “The more we can push toward that, I think that’s a positive. I don’t want anybody to get sick, and I surely don’t want anybody to pass away.”