Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes planned to throw during practice, raising the possibility the reigning league MVP could return sooner than expected from a dislocated kneecap. Mahomes hurt the knee on a quarterback sneak Thursday night in Denver. He has not been ruled out for Sunday night against Green Bay, but coach Andy Reid said backup Matt Moore would prepare is if he’s starting the game.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 men’s basketball race might be wide open. Kansas had an unprecedented run of 14 consecutive conference titles come to an end last season, thanks to Texas Tech and Kansas State. The favorites this season still include Kansas, but the Jayhawks have a lot of new players. The season begins on Nov. 5 for most teams.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has a leadership void to fill after forward Tyler Cook left for the NBA, point guard Jordan Bohannon had hip surgery and guard Isaiah Moss bolted for Kansas. All three were lined up to play as seniors for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is left with a blend of potential and experience. The Hawkeyes could find themselves back in the NCAA Tournament if their revamped roster can jell ahead of Big Ten play. The opener is Nov. 8 at home against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska fans will need to keep a roster handy when they watch Fred Hoiberg’s first Cornhuskers team. Fourteen of the 16 players weren’t on the team last season. The new coach brought in transfers he expects to fit his fast-paced perimeter-based offense. It was a formula that worked well for him when he was coaching at Iowa State. Hoiberg was fired as Chicago Bulls coach last December and takes over for Tim Miles at Nebraska.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — NFL scouts and draft pundits believe the Southeastern Conference has its most promising crop of talent to date. It’s a deep and distinguished group that includes two Heisman Trophy front-runners and next-level stars at nearly every position. Even though the NFL draft is six months away, the league already is expected to challenge or maybe even shatter its record of 12 first-round draft picks set in 2013 and matched four years later.