Patrick Mahomes will wear a brace on his knee, "I can still move and be myself with it" - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reports that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes plans to return to the practice field wearing a brace on his surgically repaired knee, though he has not committed to using it for a set period. The article, published July 25, 2026, says Mahomes is coming back from an ACL tear suffered on December 14.

According to NBCSports.com, Mahomes said the brace is not a requirement imposed on him and that his decision will depend on how comfortable he feels while practicing and playing. He indicated he will begin with it because he has used one before and believes it will not prevent him from moving normally or playing in his usual style.

The report notes that Mahomes previously wore a knee brace in 2015 while at Texas Tech after a knee injury against TCU, and that he performed effectively with it then. NBCSports.com also reported that if he decides during training camp that the brace is unnecessary, he has medical clearance to play without it.

The development matters because Mahomes’ mobility and health are central to the Chiefs’ offense, especially as he returns from a major knee injury. Based on the report, the brace appears to be a precaution and comfort choice rather than a mandatory medical restriction, with the final decision likely to be shaped by how he feels during camp.