Is Patrick Mahomes fully recovered now? Chiefs star spotted walking comfortably at Big 12 tournament after knee injury

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gave fans a positive update this week without even speaking about football. The star quarterback was spotted attending the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

Fans quickly noticed that Mahomes was walking comfortably, which many saw as a hopeful sign while he continues recovering from a serious knee injury.Mahomes attended the tournament to watch the game between BYU and West Virginia, but his appearance quickly became a talking point among fans. The Chiefs quarterback showed signs of recovery while he walked throughout the arena. For many Kansas City supporters, simply seeing him walk normally again brought optimism about his possible return before the 2026 NFL season.

Patrick Mahomes continues injury recovery after ACL and LCL tear during Kansas City Chiefs 2025 season

Patrick Mahomes suffered a major injury late in the 2025 NFL season during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. During that game, the Chiefs quarterback tore both the ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury that required reconstructive surgery soon afterward.The injury ended Mahomes’ season and played a role in the Kansas City Chiefs missing the playoffs, something that had not happened since Mahomes became the starting quarterback.

Recovery from an ACL injury usually takes around nine months or sometimes longer, especially when more than one ligament is involved. Because Mahomes injured both the ACL and LCL, many fans initially feared the recovery process could be long.However, recent updates have brought more positive news. Reports suggest Mahomes has already regained good mobility and has been working through a strong rehabilitation program.

His goal is to return in time for the start of the 2026 NFL season.According to NFL insider Jay Glazer, Mahomes’ recovery could move faster because he had surgery quickly and began rehab immediately. Glazer explained that an aggressive rehabilitation plan can sometimes help athletes return sooner than expected.Mahomes’ appearance at the Big 12 tournament added to that optimism. People inside the arena noticed that he was moving comfortably while watching the basketball games.Mahomes also has strong connections to the Big 12 Conference and college sports. Before entering the NFL, he played college football at Texas Tech University, a school that competes in the Big 12. Because of that background, he often shows support for the conference and its athletes.During the tournament in Kansas City, Mahomes was reportedly watching freshman basketball star AJ Dybantsa, who had drawn attention earlier in the event for an impressive performance.Even while recovering from injury, Mahomes remains active in the Kansas City community and continues to support sports events in the region.The tournament appearance brought Chiefs fans their most important result. The quarterback walked without difficulty which created hope that he would return to play for the team before the 2026 NFL season starts.