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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday that it is unlikely that quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play in their preseason opener against the Rams next week, and it's possible that the two-time MVP skips the three-game exhibition slate entirely.
That's not necessarily a surprise given Mahomes underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee in December.
Mahomes has been ahead of schedule in his rehab work ever since the injury, though, participating in the entire offseason program before reporting to training camp on time. He was given the all-clear late last month by Dallas-based surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper, who performed the procedure, to participate in practices without any restrictions.
"There's a pretty good chance I don't play him," Reid said. "Percentages are leaning that way. I don't know if I will play him the second or third game -- I don't know that -- but percentages probably lean against doing that."
On one hand, Mahomes hardly needs the work given his experience. On the other hand, the competitive nature of the quarterback may be enough to convince Reid to put him on the field at least for a couple of snaps in the second game against Tampa Bay.
Mahomes has said he's looking forward to taking his first real hit to feel fully back to football.
The Chiefs have no shortage of quarterbacks in need of preseason work. They traded with the Jets for veteran Justin Fields to serve as their primary backup, and he could use some game experience in the new offense. So could Garrett Nussmeier, the once-heralded LSU quarterback, whom they chose in the seventh round of the draft as a project.
Raiders scuffle
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and star pass rusher Maxx Crosby got into a scuffle late in practice Friday before their teammates quickly jumped in and separated them.
Cousins, who is operating the first-team offense in training camp, remained on the field to finish the drive. Crosby, however, was sent to the sideline.
"Those are two leaders of our team going at it, so that is part of camp," coach Klint Kubiak said. "Obviously, if you fight in a game and throw a punch in game, then you're out of the game. So we've got to be smart and treat it like a game."
Cousins appeared upset that Crosby tipped his pass, forcing an incompletion, and then charged the 6-foot-5, 256-pound defensive end who is three inches taller and 42 pounds heavier.
"We don't want to be throwing punches, but I think on any padded day of camp, there's going to be some tussles," tight end Michael Mayer said. "That's our starting quarterback right now, and you want him to defend your team and you want him to have some edge to him, which he does. He's always had since the first day I met him when he came in here.
"I don't want him getting thrown out. I don't want him getting a flag. Nothing like that, but you've got to be able to defend yourself."
Titans invest
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans announced Friday the signing of offensive lineman Peter Skoronski to a multi-year extension making him the NFL's highest-paid guard.
The Titans did not publicly announce details of the extension for the 11th overall pick of the 2023 draft. A person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press the four-year deal is worth $100 million with $88 million of that guaranteed and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. ESPN and the NFL Network first reported the terms of the contract making Skoronski the league's highest-paid guard.
GM Mike Borgonzi said Skoronski is one of the cornerstones the Titans want for the franchise.
Bills extend OL
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills sign starting right guard O'Cyrus Torrence to a four-year contract extension with $46 million in guarantees.
The Bills announced the signing, while a person with knowledge of the deal provided the length and monetary terms of the contract to The Associated Press.
The agreement represents the Bills' latest major investment in keeping much of their offensive line intact for the long term. Torrence was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft and a starter since his rookie season. He was entering the final year of his contract.
Diggs back home
ASHBURN, Va. -- For the first decade of his NFL career, Stefon Diggs always felt like he had something to prove when going up against Washington.
"That's my hometown team, them and the Baltimore Ravens," Diggs said Friday. "I always played with a chip on my shoulder, but the chip got really big when I'd go home because I felt like they passed up on me, didn't give me a chance, and I was right in their backyard."
Washington, and every NFL franchise, passed on Diggs multiple times in the 2015 draft before Minnesota selected him in the fifth round. After stints with the Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and New England Patriots, and four Pro Bowl selections later, Diggs signed with his hometown Commanders earlier this week.
It's a full-circle moment for Diggs, a Gaithersburg, Maryland, native who played for youth programs in the area growing up. A five-star recruit with scholarship offers practically anywhere in the country, Diggs chose to stay home and play for the University of Maryland.
"I can't write a better story," Diggs said.