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Josh Simmons
OT · KC

Josh Simmons

Position OT
Team KC
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Josh Simmons

NFL offensive lineman. Position: OT (Left Tackle). Team: Kansas City Chiefs.

Quick Facts

  • Position: OT (Left Tackle)
  • Team: Kansas City Chiefs
  • Draft: First-round pick, 2025 NFL Draft (No. 32 overall)
  • Status: Recovering from back injury

2026 Outlook

Josh Simmons is a first-round left tackle from 2025 dealing with a back injury heading into his sophomore season. Speculation emerged about whether his injury status is genuinely serious or if there's reluctance to return, given he missed 9 games in his rookie season (2025) but is avoiding team practices despite reports that insiders "do not think he is significantly hurt." Coach Andy Reid has been vague, saying the injury will "take a little bit of time" but didn't elaborate on severity. The drama around Simmons may stem from psychological factors (rookie struggles, frustration with early success in the league) rather than pure physical injury. (per Chiefs Dealt Concerning News as Drama Emerges 10 Days Before Start of NFL Season - Yahoo Sports)

Role / Depth Chart

Starting left tackle for Kansas City Chiefs. First-round 2025 draft pick charged with protecting Andy Reid's system.

Injury Status

Back injury that is causing him to miss practices. As of Week 1 (Sept 8), Chiefs Wire and Kansas City Star reports indicated Simmons could be sidelined for Monday night vs. Denver, which would leave Patrick Mahomes to rely on undrafted rookies (Kahlil Benson or Diego Pounds) for protection on his return from ACL/LCL injury. Timeframe unclear, but HC Andy Reid said it will "take a little bit of time." Some speculation exists about whether the injury is less severe than the absence from practices suggests, with insiders questioning his commitment. (per Chiefs might be without their starting left tackle vs. Broncos on 'MNF')

Week 2 status (Sept 20): Simmons is "week-to-week" with his back injury and has missed both Week 1 and Week 2, undergoing a second opinion from a back specialist. He remains in the facility for rehab and meetings but has not played. The Chiefs have not placed him on IR, which would require a minimum 4-game absence. Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson started at left tackle in Week 1, taking all 69 offensive snaps (per Source: Josh Simmons is 'week-to-week' with back injury).

Week 3 update (Sept 28): Simmons continues to be a non-participant in practice as he deals with his back injury. Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, HC Andy Reid told media that Simmons has been doing "everything" behind the scenes as the team waits for his swelling to go down. The Chiefs anticipated he would miss 2-4 games, suggesting mid-October as a possible return window. (per NFL Injury Rumors: Collins, Simmons, Stevenson - NFL Rumors)

Week 6 update (Oct 12): Simmons has been sidelined for nearly two months with a lower-back bulging disk that has hindered the strength of his leg. HC Andy Reid confirmed the diagnosis but provided positive news: no surgery is needed and Simmons is making progress, getting stronger daily. However, ESPN insider Nate Taylor expressed skepticism about near-term availability, saying he'd be "surprised if he practices next week" and noting the offensive tackle hasn't progressed as fast as hoped. The Chiefs avoided placing him on IR, allowing them to hold him without losing roster flexibility. (per Chiefs' Josh Simmons Faces Another Test 2 Years After Injury That Nearly Derailed NFL...)

Recent News

Open Questions

  • Is Josh Simmons' injury genuinely serious or are there deeper issues affecting his availability?

Sources

What the Experts Are Saying

The Fantasy HeadlinersWeek 6 QB START/SIT Every Match Up Analysis 🚨 MUST-Play or Bench Players (2026 Fantasy Football)
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