The first Monday Night Football game of the 2026 season will feature the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos. The biggest question heading into the matchup: Will Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix both be under center?

Patrick Mahomes ACL and LCL Recovery

Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL during the Chiefs’ Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. He traveled to Dallas for surgery, which was performed by a surgeon widely known for LCL repairs.

Pro Football Doc said there is “no way” Patrick Mahomes will be 100% healthy for Week 1 after ACL reconstruction and LCL repair.

Dr. David Chao said Mahomes should be able to throw from the pocket by Week 1, but that does not necessarily mean he will be able to play like himself.

“There’s no question Patrick Mahomes will be ready to throw and play quarterback from the pocket Week 1,” Chao said. “That doesn’t mean he can be Patrick Mahomes and do what makes him great in terms of extending plays.”

The bigger question, Chao said, is whether Mahomes can protect himself and move well enough to avoid additional injury risk.

“Throwing from the pocket is different,” Chao said. “But can he really protect himself?”

Chao also pushed back on any certainty about whether Mahomes will start Week 1.

“Anyone who tells you they know whether Mahomes is playing Week 1 or not doesn’t know what they’re talking about,” Chao said. “There is no way the Kansas City Chiefs know whether Patrick Mahomes is starting Week 1 or not.”

Chao said Mahomes undoubtedly wants to play, but the Chiefs have not made that decision yet.

“I worked in an NFL building,” Chao said. “It’s May. You don’t make decisions for September. There’s still a long way to go.”

Chao said the Chiefs will have to decide whether Mahomes can be effective enough and whether playing him before he is fully mobile creates added risk.

“It’s not just about the knee,” Chao said. “Is he good enough to be everything we want him to be, and are we risking anything by playing him where he might hurt something else because he’s less mobile or less escapable?”

Bo Nix Right Ankle Fracture Recovery

Nix suffered a fractured right ankle during the Broncos’ divisional-round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 17, 2026, and underwent successful surgery shortly after. In late April, it was revealed that Nix had a second procedure on his ankle earlier in the month.

According to reports, the second procedure was described as an anticipated follow-up cleanup procedure.

Pro Football Doc said a cleanup ankle scope is not unusual, though calling it “anticipated” may be strong.

Pro Football Doc said he expects Bo Nix to be ready for Week 1 despite his ankle injury and second surgery.

“I think Bo Nix is ready Week 1,” Dr. David Chao said. “The ankle is a different situation. I think Bo Nix is likely ready Week 1, even with the second surgery.”

The Broncos and Nix have both expressed optimism that he will be ready for the start of training camp.

Bottom Line

Pro Football Doc expects Nix to be cleared and ready for the Week 1 matchup. Mahomes, however, is less certain. Given the combination of ACL reconstruction and LCL repair, Pro Football Doc expects Mahomes to likely miss the start of the season and believes it could be 2027 before he fully regains his pre-injury mobility.