When Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes makes his return on Monday night after a December 2025 torn ACL, his left tackle will be an undrafted rookie.
Josh Simmons, a first-round pick in 2025, has been ruled out for the game against the Broncos with a back injury. Kahlil Benson will start at left tackle in his first career game.
Also out for the Chiefs will be defensive back Chamarri Conner, who has a knee injury.
No other Chiefs player has an injury designation. Which means that Mahomes will indeed play. And that the Broncos will test Benson in an effort to get to Mahomes.
The Chiefs, who finished 6-11 in 2025, are 2.5-point favorites against the Broncos, who won the division and secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
