KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he expects to play without limitations Monday night against the Denver Broncos, four days before his return. Mahomes, 30, spent nine months rehabbing a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee suffered Dec. 14.

"You've got to go out there and be yourself," Mahomes said. "I've built up the strength and all the days of rehab so that I can be myself." Coach Andy Reid said the game plan won't differ from past openers.

Mahomes will open the season like Tom Brady (2009) and Robert Griffin III (2013) once did after similar injuries. He said he won't be afraid to use his legs.

"That's what makes me who I am," Mahomes said. "I just love competing."