Reports indicate that offensive tackle Josh Simmons of the Kansas City Chiefs is anticipated to return to the team in the coming weeks, according to sources at ESPN. The first-year player had been in the starting lineup for the initial five contests but has been absent for the past two weeks due to what was described as a “family matter.” He has not participated in practice sessions this week and is reportedly expected to miss at least one additional game as the Chiefs are scheduled to face the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football.”
Simmons, selected as the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, traveled back to his home state of California prior to the Chiefs’ Week 6 matchup, and his absence was noted on the availability report with a “personal” designation. Head Coach Andy Reid initially refrained from commenting on the specifics of the situation, but this week, he provided an encouraging update regarding the rookie offensive lineman.
“Regarding Josh, my update is that there is communication ongoing,” Reid stated. “I will not delve into the details. Everything is progressing positively. It is not a negative situation. He is attending to family matters.”
Simmons is responsible for protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s left side, and in his absence, reserve player Jaylon Moore has stepped in to fulfill the blocking responsibilities, contributing to victories against the Detroit Lions and the Las Vegas Raiders. When questioned about Simmons’s situation, Mahomes indicated that he would keep the details private.
“I prefer to keep those conversations between us,” Mahomes mentioned last week. “However, I am always praying for him and all my teammates, so he is in my thoughts. I will maintain the privacy of the remaining details.”
The Chiefs have maintained a 2-0 record in Simmons’s absence, securing victories in their last two games by margins of at least two scores. They accumulated 30 points against the Lions and 31 points against the Raiders.
This marks the second occasion in as many seasons that Simmons has experienced an extended absence. He missed more than half of his final year at Ohio State following a season-ending knee injury, but he still played a significant role in the Buckeyes’ journey to the national championship. Throughout his six games in the lineup, Simmons recorded the lowest pressure rate (0.7%) among all tackles nationwide with a minimum of 100 pass-blocking plays.
