The 2026 NFL season begins the weekend of Sunday, Sept. 13, and the Chiefs will take every day they can get. Their clock has already started.

Although former NFL QB Brian Hoyer wouldn't wish an ACL injury on anyone, grinding through the rehab process made him mentally tougher.

The Chiefs are going to prepare for Mahomes to return in time for Week 1 of the 2026 season, CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported. Mahomes is almost certainly going to attack his rehabilitation with a maniacal fervor, and it wouldn't necessarily be surprising if he were indeed ready for the start of the year.

The NFL has implemented rule changes in recent seasons aimed at reducing lower-body injuries, including the ban on hip-drop tackles. Still, experts say the nature of the sport, built on speed, power, and rapid changes in direction, means ACL injuries remain a risk.

With the Packers facing a possible ACL tear for Micah Parsons, here’s a look at other recent NFL players to suffer the injury and when they returned.

No two ACL injuries are the same, and Patrick Mahomes’ surgery, recovery and timeline will be unique to him. M

Not only did Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tear his ACL, but he also tore his Lateral Collateral Ligament.

It's hard to imagine the three-time Super Bowl MVP returning to a Chiefs team that looks the same on the field and sideline.

The theme of the 2025 NFL regular season has been one of extreme unpredictability: Super Bowl favorites performing below usual standards, unexpected comebacks and breakout teams taking the league by storm.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gets his ACL surgery performed by Dr. Daniel E. Cooper, the Cowboys' team physician.