The NFL provided the Kansas City Chiefs with an early bye week to accommodate Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a knee injury. The Chiefs and Carolina Panthers will have their off week in Week 5, the earliest possible in the season.
Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee during a December 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent surgery the following day, and while no official return timeline has been set, reports indicate he is ahead of schedule in rehabilitation. Mahomes is targeting a return by Week 1 of the season.
If Mahomes is not ready to play by then, he would miss only four games over six weeks: the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs’ early bye week softens the impact of his absence.
In contrast, the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals will have the latest bye week, scheduled for Week 14.
Full NFL Bye Week Schedule
- Week 6 — Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings
- Week 7 — Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders
- Week 8 — New York Giants, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers
- Week 9 — Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
- Week 10 — Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 11 — Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers
- Week 13 — Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders
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