KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will likely expand his practice portfolio this week, according to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, yet the coach declined to commit to a starting quarterback yet for Sunday's meeting with the Minnesota Vikings.
“We'll see, we'll see how it goes,” Reid said. “I'm taking it day-by-day here, just going to watch them do their thing and see how they do.”
Backup quarterback Matt Moore met with reporters on Wednesday in the spot normally reserved for the starting quarterback. The Chiefs have also returned backup Chad Henne to practice in his return from a fractured ankle, but Reid sees Henne may need more time.
“I've got to see him work this week, see how he does,” Reid said.
Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap Oct. 17 in a Week 7 victory over the Denver Broncos. The club reportedly expected him to miss at least three weeks with the injury. Reid said he will watch the movement of Mahomes during practice this week in determining his readiness to return from injury.
“We do enough stuff where he's got to move around, you get a chance to see him. He's moving pretty good. You guys got to see that before our game. He was out running around. And then I obviously communicate with the doctors.”
Three other injured Chiefs who didn't play in Week 8 against Green Bay practiced on Wednesday: defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin), left guard Andrew Wylie (ankle) and cornerback Kendall Fuller (thumb). Reid said the club planned to work all three back into the rotation slowly.
“I'm going to just see,” Reid said. “We ease the guys back in and see what they can do, good communication with their coaches and (club vice president of sports medicine and performance) Rick (Burkholder), and then we go from there.”
Reid said six other Chiefs would not practice Wednesday: defensive end Frank Jones (neck), defensive end Alex Okafor (ankle), left tackle Eric Fisher, right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (ankle), cornerback Bashaud Breeland (shoulder) and punter Dustin Colquitt (quad).