Mahomes and Nix headline Chiefs-Broncos injury returns
Kansas City hosts Denver in a Monday Night Football meeting shaped by two quarterbacks returning from significant injuries and contrasting seasons.
The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Denver Broncos in a Week 1 AFC West matchup, with Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix returning to their respective starting roles after major injuries.
Mahomes is returning from a torn ACL suffered late last season, when Kansas City finished 6–11, missed the playoffs and placed third in the division after winning nine consecutive AFC West titles. CBS Sports reported that he also recorded career lows in completion rate, passing yards per attempt and touchdown passes.
Nix missed Denver’s AFC Championship defeat after breaking his ankle before the game. The Broncos finished 14–3 in 2025, secured the AFC’s top seed and reached the conference championship. CBS Sports reported that Nix has passed for at least 3,700 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of his first two seasons, although his mobility remains to be tested after the injury.
Kansas City has reshaped its offence around a stronger running game, signing Kenneth Walker to a reported three-year, US$43 million contract. Denver, meanwhile, acquired receiver Jaylen Waddle from Miami in a trade involving first-, third- and fourth-round picks, according to CBS Sports.
The Chiefs will also be without their starting left tackle, with undrafted rookie Khalil Benson expected to start. That puts added pressure on Kansas City’s protection against a Denver pass rush that CBS Sports described as one of the league’s most formidable.
Denver will be without a pass rusher on the commissioner’s exempt list while he faces criminal charges related to alleged domestic-violence incidents. The source does not identify the player or establish the allegations as proven.
