Mahomes, Jones, Parsons, Nabers and Kittle all at different points in rehab as minicamps wrap

As the NFL’s mandatory minicamps hit their final checkpoint before training camp, several marquee players are taking steps back toward the 2026 regular-season opener, while teams balance progress with strict limits on contact and workload.

By The Apex Times Newsroom4 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Mandatory NFL minicamps are serving as the last major in-season-ish checkpoint for all 32 teams before training camp and the preseason begin. For some clubs, this week marks the final run of required offseason practices, with a large group set to conclude minicamp on June 18. CBS Sports’ injury progress roundup highlighted how uneven the rehab timelines can be even among headline names, with Patrick Mahomes, Daniel Jones, Micah Parsons, Malik Nabers and George Kittle each moving through different stages of return-to-activity programs.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes’ most recent updates point to progress without a full clearance into the highest-contact work. CBS reported that Mahomes tore his left ACL and LCL on Dec. 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, and that he is pushing to start Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes described making progress in May and noted he is not yet running and cutting at full speed, which matters because those are the movements most likely to test a recovering knee. CBS also said Kansas City has not granted him the full green light for team drills that involve 11-on-11 work, with coach Andy Reid limiting where Mahomes might take incidental contact during certain packages.

In Indianapolis, Daniel Jones’ return plan is built around step-by-step participation rather than a straight sprint back to full team reps. CBS reported that Jones is cleared for 7-on-7 work at OTAs as of June 1, while full 11-on-11 work is not expected until at least training camp in July. provided additional operational detail, saying Jones took part in seven-on-seven during OTA practice and that head coach Shane Steichen wanted him not to scramble during those periods. The Colts are also keeping his workload smart, with a plan to keep building through OTAs and a mandatory veteran minicamp next week before shifting into training camp.

For Green Bay, Micah Parsons’ rehab has been framed around caution and a long-view timeline. CBS said the Packers are handling Parsons conservatively after he tore his ACL in a Dec. 14 loss, and that Parsons told reporters on June 3 he is a bit beyond five months into rehab, with an October or November return appearing most likely. Parsons’ own comments emphasized a “nine-month rule,” and CBS noted how the team’s timing could intersect with roster strategy if he begins the season on the physically unable to perform list. echoed the internal standard, describing Parsons as adhering to the nine-month rule and saying the minimum games he misses if he starts on PUP would be four.

New York’s Malik Nabers storyline is complicated by the details of his knee recovery. CBS reported that Nabers’ torn ACL involved a full meniscus repair and required an additional procedure to remove inflamed scar tissue, leaving his return-to-action status unknown. added that the Giants wide receiver underwent a “cleanup” procedure to remove scar tissue causing stiffness, and that the team remains hopeful he can be available for Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, though the timetable remains uncertain as the offseason continues. From a football-building perspective, this is the kind of uncertainty that can force teams to decide whether to treat an opening-week starting role as a “prove it in camp” bet or to plan contingencies well before September.

San Francisco’s George Kittle is working from a different injury and a different rehab marker, but the themes are the same: progress measured in allowed movement, not just optimism. CBS reported that Kittle tore his Achilles tendon during the NFL playoffs five months ago and said he told reporters last week he is “doing great” and ahead of schedule. CBS added that Kittle is still in the rehab group at OTAs, limited to single-leg hops and jogging, which is a key sign that the next phase requires more than cardio and basic mobility. Kittle’s target has stayed ambitious, with CBS saying he expressed optimism about suiting up in Week 1 against the Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams in Australia.

What to watch next is how teams manage the transition from mandatory minicamp to training camp when these players’ availability windows could start to shape practice groups, game plans, and depth-chart confidence. With many minicamps concluding on June 18, coaches will soon have to decide how much live work to give, and which reps to protect, while also making sure these athletes build safely toward the kind of contact and acceleration regular season requires. Even when a player is “on track,” the difference between individual progress and full-contact readiness is where the 2026 season will be won or lost early.

Why It Matters

Quarterback timing is a roster and planning issue, not just a player issue, since steps from 7-on-7 to 11-on-11 can affect early offensive chemistry.
Strict rehab rules influence how teams allocate reps in camp and whether they build a deeper contingency plan at key positions.
Edge-rusher and skill-player availability in September can swing early defensive and passing-game matchups, especially before coaches settle into full continuity.
A rehab-driven start-or-sit decision can change how aggressively teams prioritize depth signing, practice allocation, and early-season game planning.
If a marquee player is limited at minicamp, the most important “progress” metric is how quickly the player can expand workload without setbacks in the weeks that follow.

Sources

Key Facts

Mandatory NFL minicamps function as the final required offseason checkpoint before training camp, with many teams concluding June 18.
Patrick Mahomes (knee) is pushing for a Week 1 start against the Denver Broncos but has not been fully cleared for 11-on-11 team drills.
Daniel Jones is cleared for 7-on-7 work at OTAs as of June 1 and is not expected to do full 11-on-11 until training camp.
Micah Parsons (knee) is progressing on a conservative timeline tied to a nine-month rule, and Green Bay expects him to miss at least four games if he starts on PUP.
Malik Nabers (knee) underwent a cleanup procedure to remove scar tissue, and his Week 1 availability against the Dallas Cowboys remains uncertain.
George Kittle (Achilles) says he is ahead of schedule, but he is still limited at OTAs to rehab work such as single-leg hops and jogging while targeting a Week 1 return vs. the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.