Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes argues his surgically repaired left knee

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says his surgically repaired left knee continues to respond well as he targets a Week 1 return. (Image via Getty)

Mahomes told reporters Tuesday that he still expects to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14. If he completed the rehabilitation process as planned, Week 1 was a realistic target.

ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported that the quarterback has hit every checkpoint in strengthening the knee after tearing his ACL and LCL in December.

“Being able to go out there, day after day, and have the grind of a camp, that can even be harder than the [regular] season,” Mahomes said Tuesday. Doctors identified that timeline from the beginning, according to Mahomes. Mahomes said coaches have even told him to calm down at times when his competitiveness takes over during practice.

One hurdle remains: Kansas City’s medical staff has yet to clear him for a game. “It’s been awesome for me to be able to do that. It’s exciting. I didn’t know if I was going to have to take days off, but my body has responded the right way. “This has always been the plan. From the day I got the surgery, as quick as I did, to hopefully the first game of the year, the plan will go accordingly, and I’ll be able to go out there and be myself. The Chiefs have noticed.

If Mahomes sits Friday, ESPN noted that this would be the first time in his 10-year NFL career that he has missed an entire preseason. 14.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Mahomes had yet to receive clearance to play in a game. The Chiefs open the regular season against an AFC West opponent on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. That makes an appearance in Friday’s preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks unlikely. There is little incentive for Kansas City to rush that final step. Friday’s game against Seattle carries no regular-season stakes.