India, Aug. 16 -- Patrick Mahomes will not play when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Los Angeles Rams in their 2026 NFL preseason opener on Saturday, August 15. The Chiefs are keeping their star quarterback out as he continues his recovery from the left knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Head coach Andy Reid has also not committed to using Mahomes in either of the Chiefs' remaining preseason games. Instead, Justin Fields is expected to start against the Rams, with Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun also set to get snaps. The Chiefs' main focus is having Mahomes ready for the regular season.

Mahomes is sitting out because the Chiefs are taking a careful approach with his return after he tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee late la...