Patrick Mahomes spotted walking at Big 12 tournament amid encouraging injury recovery

Kansas City fans received an encouraging sign this week after Patrick Mahomes was seen moving well while attending the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament in Kansas City.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback appeared at the event at T‑Mobile Center, where he watched a matchup involving BYU and West Virginia. Mahomes was reportedly there to catch freshman star AJ Dybantsa in action after the phenom’s record-setting performance earlier in the tournament.

Mahomes’ injury timeline

Mahomes suffered a major injury late in the 2025 NFL season during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The star quarterback tore both the ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury that required reconstructive surgery shortly afterward.

The injury ended Mahomes’ season and contributed to the Chiefs missing the playoffs for the first time since he became the team’s starting quarterback.

Typically, recovery from ACL surgery can take around nine months or longer, especially when additional ligaments are involved. However, Mahomes’ rehab has reportedly progressed faster than expected.

Recent reports suggest Mahomes has already regained significant mobility and is working through an intensive rehabilitation program with the goal of returning for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

NFL insider Jay Glazer also noted that Mahomes’ quick surgery and aggressive rehab routine could accelerate his timeline, raising hopes that he may be ready by Week 1.

His appearance at the Big 12 tournament, walking comfortably and appearing relaxed, only added to the optimism surrounding his recovery.

Why Mahomes Was at the Big 12 tournament

Mahomes has strong ties to college sports and the region. The tournament is being held in Kansas City. The three-time Super Bowl champion has often shown support for college athletics, particularly players with Texas or Big 12 connections given his own college career at Texas Tech.

Seeing Mahomes at the event also highlights how involved he remains with the Kansas City community even while rehabbing.

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