Now that the preseason is over, all eyes on are the Denver Broncos' visit to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 1. While the early schedule is rather lenient on the Kansas City Chiefs, the actual season-opener is not, and fans are anxious to have the team at full strength going into an important divisional matchup.
One of the biggest concerns for the Chiefs is found at left tackle, where Josh Simmons is nursing a back injury that has kept him out of practice and preseason games since mid-August. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has insisted that it's a short-term issue from the very beginning, but after watching him sit out exhibitions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and L.A. Rams, it's natural for reporters to question his status for the regular season.
Reid's public-facing stance at this point hasn't officially changed, but he is leaning into the uncertainty of it all now instead of shrugging off such apprehension. On Wednesday, he spoke with reporters after an earlier-than-scheduled practice (to avoid the heat of the day) and was asked how Simmons was coming along.
"He had the back checked and there's a spot in there that flared up and now you've gotta sit here and wait until that things calms down. He's been here working out and doing the rehab stuff, so we'll see where it goes," said Reid.
The only thing that's clear about Josh Simmons' back injury is the Chiefs' lack of clarity.
Reid's update comes after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported last Friday that Simmons was undergoing further tests after already having missed the last two weeks of preseason activity. Fellow ESPN reporter Nate Taylor added some optimism, with a source telling him everything would be "fine" with Simmons, but the only thing that feels clear at this point is the lack of clarity
Reid refused to define what the offensive line might look like if Simmons isn't able to play, but his absence would become an immediate matchup problem for the Chiefs, no matter how they handle it. The Broncos defense ranked as one of the best in the NFL a year ago and a potent pass rush, led by Nik Bonnito, would relish the idea of going against a rookie like Kahlil Benson or even an inexperienced vet like Jaylon Moore.
For now, Chiefs fans can only hope that the longer lead time before Week 1 is a boost for Simmons' hopes to play. The Chiefs and Broncos are the final game on the NFL's weekend slate—the Monday Night Football opener—which gives those ailing a bit longer to heal or feel rested. But it sounds as if no one knows whether or not Simmons will be a go for the Chiefs, including those closest to the situation.
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