Josh Simmons injury update leaves Chiefs with more questions than answers

The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with a couple of concerning injuries on the offensive line, and a new report suggests one might be worse than originally feared.

Left tackle Josh Simmons has missed practice and the team's most recent preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a back injury. The Chiefs have Simmons listed as day-to-day, but Andy Reid said on Thursday that Simmons will be sent for more testing, which ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler confirmed on SportsCenter.

"Josh Simmons, this one is interesting because he's got back issues. He's been classified as day-to-day, but I can say that he's undergoing more tests to see if there is something long-term here. So this could be one to watch. They do have Jaylon Moore, who is kind of their swing, right tackle, left tackle. He could start there if needed. It could be minor, but they're still identifying that situation. That would be big. They're a much better offense when he's in there," said Fowler.

Fowler's report leaves a wide range of possibilities open, but the most recent update from The Athletic's Nate Taylor taps the brakes a bit on any panic.

"The Chiefs have said from the start that his injury is not significant ... I've been told that everything is going to be fine." Taylor goes on to say, however, that it's impossible to tell. "I've been told he's fine. I've also been told he's day-to-day. I do love the fact that there are some Chiefs fans who are already like, 'Well, he's done for the season.' I would not say that. I just think he probably needs a little bit of time to feel 100 percent and there's no reason to push it now because we're not in the regular season."

The Chiefs had high hopes for Simmons this season, expecting him to be a cornerstone of their offensive line in 2026. Patrick Mahomes has had a revolving door of left tackles in his time with Kansas City, and the Chiefs have really struggled to find a long-term solution on the blindside. The team hoped Simmons could be that solution, but if his injury is worse than expected, it could throw a wrench into the Chiefs' plans in 2026.

It also feels important to mention that back issues, even minor ones, are no joke in sports. These injuries often tend to linger and need to be handled with care to optimize recovery and performance. This is especially the case on the offensive line, where so much strain and force can be put on the back in very short periods of time.

The biggest question around Simmons since he arrived in Kansas City has always been his availability. In 2025, Simmons was the Chiefs' first-round pick at pick 32, and he likely would have gone higher had he not been coming off a torn patellar tendon suffered on October 12, 2024. But Simmons recovered well, winning the Chiefs' starting left tackle spot for the 2025 season.

But after a great start to the year in 2025, Simmons stepped away from the team due to a personal matter. He later returned after a four-game absence and played well again until another injury struck, ending his season with a fractured and dislocated wrist. With all that has happened to Simmons, he has played just 14 games over his last two seasons of football.

The story with Simmons seems to have remained consistent. When he is on the field, he has the talent to be one of the best tackles in all of football, but making sure he is available to play is the top priority. Now, with another injury lingering, there are concerns about how much confidence the Chiefs can have in him providing stability as the team's franchise left tackle.

With Patrick Mahomes coming off the worst injury of his career, the Chiefs need consistency on the offensive line, and with injuries to Simmons and Trey Smith, the season is off to a rough start. If Simmons cannot go to start the season, Jaylon Moore will likely move to left tackle and undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will start on the right side, with Esa Pole providing additional depth. That would leave Kansas City relying on another reconfigured tackle tandem to protect a quarterback returning from major knee surgery.

There is no doubt that when he is on the field, Simmons may be one of the best left tackles in football, and the Chiefs will be sure to handle his injury carefully this season. Everyone in the Chiefs' facility knows how much Simmons can bring to the table. While there is concern, there is also hope that Simmons can start the year at left tackle, injury-free, and anchor the left side of the Chiefs' offensive line in 2026.

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