Just when you thought the Kansas City Chiefs were done giving fans last-minute scares before Week 5 with late pre-game injury designations, another major player has been added to the list of questionable appearances. Rookie left tackle Josh Simmons has been officially designated as "questionable" due to an illness.
The Chiefs announced that Simmons was ill shortly before kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football, which means it was an obvious late development for all parties involved.
Josh Simmons is an unexpected wild card for the Chiefs heading into Monday Night Football.
The Chiefs previously announced that wideout Xavier Worthy was also questionable on Sunday night, meaning the team has been forced to adjust expectations for two important players coming into Week 5.
Simmons is the single biggest addition of the Chiefs' offseason as Patrick Mahomes' new blindside protector. A first-round pick out of Ohio State for K.C. at No. 32 overall in this year's draft, Simmons hasn't been perfect in his role, but he's more than fulfilled all the hopes the team held out for him coming into his first year.
If Simmons is unable to go, the Chiefs do have a solid option in swing tackle Jaylon Moore, who was brought in as a free-agent signing from the San Francisco 49ers before drafting Simmons. Moore was supposed to be the new starter at left tackle, so he's capable of taking the reins for a single game. That said, the situation is not ideal.
If something happens to either Moore or right tackle Jawaan Taylor in Week 5, the Chiefs are in a real bind. Wanya Morris is on the roster, but the Chiefs' offense has just now found its rhythm after a few games of middling results to start the season. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy is playing, but he was also questionable coming into the game with ankle and shoulder injuries, making things feel even more tenuous.
When the Chiefs drafted Simmons, it was uncertain whether or not he would be healthy to start the season, given that he was coming off of a season-ending leg injury at Ohio State. Instead, the Chiefs inserted him from the first reps of training camp as their new left tackle, and Simmons has looked the part and held up reliably for the duration.
Hopefully Simmons is okay and the timing isn't off, but the Chiefs offense might not look like it did a week ago to start the game with myriad changes to the lineup.