Josh

Simmons

Simmons missed the Chiefs’ 2026 opener with the back issue and isn’t likely to suit up this week either. Kahlil Benson, a UDFA rookie, took his spot at left tackle in Week 1. Benson allowed three pressures and was penalized once, but he did not allow a sack and held his own in the run game. He will draw the start in Week 2.

“He has a (back) issue there he’s working through. Josh is rehabbing. He’s working his tail off. This isn’t anything other than him having an issue with his back,” Reid said, asking what about his ‘My left tackle has a back issue he’s working through” t-shirt was unclear. Simmons’ status appears to be in some short-term doubt and we wouldn’t rule out an IR stint for him ahead of the opener.

Simmons had surgery on his injured wrist and will miss at least a month, making a postseason return possible if the Chiefs finish the season strong and sneak into the playoffs. The loss of Simmons is significant for Patrick Mahomes and the KC offense: Pro Football Focus grades Simmons 21st in pass blocking out of 85 qualifying tackles this season.

Simmons was initially listed as questionable to return, but the team almost instantly downgraded him to out, making it clear that Simmons suffered a serious injury. He was spotted in a cast after the game. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor also left Week 13’s game with an injury. He suffered an elbow injury and was eventually ruled out as well. Likely needing to win out, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will be in several do-or-die spots with a banged-up offensive line.

Simmons was away from the Chiefs for four weeks to tend to a family issue. We don’t know the specifics beyond that, but the rookie tackle who started the first five games of the season is now set to return following his absence, and should immediately slot in as the team’s left tackle when the team returns from its Week 10 bye.

Chiefs RG Trey Smith (back) joins Moore in the questionable column, while LT Josh Simmons (personal) has once again been ruled out. On the plus side, both Moore and Smith are expected to play, “barring setbacks.” This is a consequential game for the Chiefs (5-3) and the Bills (5-2) that could shift playoff seeding down the road. The Bills notably lost star DT Ed Oliver (biceps) for the season last week.

Yesterday, The Athletic’s Jesse Newell identified Week 11 as a “natural target date” for Simmons to resume playing. Taylor agrees, writing, “a logical time for Simmons to return to the Chiefs could be in early November, during the team’s bye” in Week 10. Until Simmons returns, veteran OT Jaylon Moore will continue manning the left tackle spot.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said "“Everything’s positive. It’s not a negative situation,” when asked about Simmons today. “He’s taking care of family,” Reid added. The Chiefs haven’t placed Simmons on the NFI list, which Newell believes indicates his return isn’t so far away. It doesn’t look like Simmons will return this week. The Chiefs play Buffalo in Week 9 and then go on their bye week.

Smith is dealing with back spasms. Head coach Andy Reid expressed some optimism that he will be able to suit up for Monday’s game versus the Commanders. Left tackle Josh Simmons remains out for personal reasons. Simmons isn’t expected to play this week.

We don’t want to trivialize whatever Simmons is going through, the only information that has surfaced so far is that he returned home to San Diego. Reid’s words make it clear that Simmons should remain sidelined for the forseeable future.