Inactive lists are out for the Kansas City Chiefs for Week 7, and the biggest names involved represent two of the biggest question marks on the entire roster at this stage.
Both offensive tackle Josh Simmons and cornerback Kristian Fulton are among the players listed as inactives for the Chiefs' first of two scheduled games against the Las Vegas Raiders. Others include running back Elijah Mitchell, defensive end Malik Herring, and tight end Jared Wiley.
The biggest roster concern right now is the depth at tackle knowing that Jaylon Moore is now having to start on the left side. While he did an admirable job filling in for Simmons in a pinch against the Detroit Lions in Week 6, the Chiefs are hoping everyone stays healthy at the bookend positions along the offensive front.
The Chiefs' biggest roster questions are both among the primary inactives for Week 7 against the Raiders.
The Chiefs might be without Simmons for the foreseeable future as he deals with a personal matter. Head coach Andy Reid and others in the Chiefs' organization have been tight-lipped with any details related to Simmons' situation. What matters for fans is that Simmons is out for now and could remain away from the team for an undetermined amount of time.
Simmons was the team's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and was an instant starter on the left side, providing the sort of long-term hope at a position that had turned into a carousel in recent years.
As for Fulton, the Chiefs signed the veteran to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million in free agency to serve as a starter outside opposite Jaylen Watson in the secondary. With Trent McDuffie, the trio was expected to form the core for the 2025 season and give the Chiefs depth in the unit with Watson headed for free agency (along with so many other defensive backs).
Instead, rookie Nohl Williams has stepped up. The former Cal product was the third-round choice of the Chiefs in this year's draft and became a major contributor while Fulton was on the shelf with various injuries for most of the summer and the start of the season.
Over the last two weeks, Fulton has been on the sidelines as an inactive player even as he was practicing in full, which means he's healthy and ready to play. At this juncture, however, the Chiefs are going with a combination of players in whom they're clearly more comfortable.
Whether the Chiefs are giving Fulton plenty of time to heal completely or whether he's not catching on to what Steve Spagnuolo demands of his corners remains to be seen, but it's an odd sight to see him sitting on the bench after arriving as an exciting offseason acquisition.