Patrick Mahomes achieved another milestone in his recovery from left knee surgery Friday, arriving at Missouri Western State's campus fully cleared to participate in Chiefs training camp. The Chiefs' medical staff and Dr. Dan Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys' team physician who repaired Mahomes' torn ACL and LCL, signed off on his full participation.

"I feel stronger than I've ever felt, as far as strength and lifting [weights]," said Mahomes. "I feel amazing. ... I'm excited just to be able to play football. I've been seeing cinderblock walls rehabbing every single day in Kansas City. Now to be on that practice field with my teammates, it's going to be a lot of fun."

Mahomes will continue wearing a compression sleeve and brace on his left leg, consistent with his approach during the offseason program. The significant shift from two months ago is that Mahomes is expected to lead the first-team offense through 11-on-11 repetitions throughout camp. He recently demonstrated to the medical staff that he can run, cut and change directions safely alongside teammates.

Andy Reid said he does not plan to limit Mahomes' usual workload, marking the first time since his December injury that Mahomes will practice alongside key skill-position players including running back Kenneth Walker III, tight end Travis Kelce and receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton.

"He's been working so hard that you have a pretty good feel that he's in a good place," said Reid. "We've got to see how things go and not make any predictions about [Week 1]."

Mahomes has focused his recovery around being ready for the Chiefs' season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14. He plans to use camp to demonstrate improved pocket movement, sharper decision-making and quicker ball release compared to last season.

"I don't get hit, so that's one part of it, but it's good to be out there and have bodies around and be able to go through and run the offense," said Mahomes. "I want [Reid] to call [plays] it like we're going to call it in the regular season. That's going to be the best way for me to prepare myself. I want to go out there and test [the knee]."

Should his recovery continue progressing well, the Chiefs will need to decide whether Mahomes plays in one of the first two preseason games, something he has never missed in his nine-year career.

"I'm a competitor, so [on] game day I'm going to want to be out there," said Mahomes. "But I understand the process of getting myself ready to play in the regular season is more important. We'll see. The coaches and doctors will make that decision for me, but I'll prepare myself like I'm going to play."

Mahomes said he received guidance throughout his recovery from Tom Brady and Tyrann Mathieu, both of whom sustained ACL tears and continued producing at an elite level afterward.

"The process isn't over," said Mahomes. "It'll be something I'll probably be dealing with the next few years of my career, and throughout the rest of my career. But I feel comfortable now being able to go out there and run the offense the way the offense is supposed to be run. This will be the hardest training camp that you can have, as far as preparing for the season. I'm glad I'm able to do that, starting tomorrow."