Josh Simmons' Future With Chiefs Uncertain Amidst Injury Woes and Character Questions

The Kansas City Chiefs announced the placement of left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve, a move that raises significant questions about his future with the team and in the NFL. Simmons has not played a down this season after reporting a leg issue on August 17 that was later determined to be related to a bulging disc in his back. He saw a specialist who recommended therapy over surgery.

Simmons practiced in a limited capacity last week for the first time since reporting the injury. However, on Wednesday, the team listed him as a non-participant in practice for "back/non-injury personal reasons." The team's Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance, Rich Burkholder, stated that Simmons used the day to speak with his family before deciding to go on injured reserve, a designation that requires him to miss at least four games.

However, the timeline and explanations surrounding Simmons' absence have been met with skepticism. Reports in August from reporters close to the team suggested the injury was minor and Simmons would be ready for Week 1, which he was not. The subsequent explanation was that the Chiefs had not placed him on injured reserve because they anticipated his return within the first four weeks, a forecast that also proved incorrect.

Burkholder indicated that Simmons "plateaued" in his recovery. This contradicts previous statements from head coach Andy Reid, who on Monday said Simmons would continue to "ramp up" his activity and did not list him among non-participants on Wednesday morning.

Simmons' history adds another layer of complexity. Last season, he missed an entire month due to what the team described as a "personal matter," with ESPN reporting that organization members were unaware of his whereabouts before a Week 6 game. Sports Illustrated reported that Simmons left the team the night before that game, and the team did not know his location for a period.

Further questions about Simmons arose before the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite reports of a full recovery from a patellar tendon injury, some teams reportedly removed him from their draft boards due to "character" concerns. He ultimately fell to the 32nd pick, where the Chiefs selected him.

To date, Simmons has played in only eight games across his first two NFL seasons. The combination of his disappearance last season, pre-draft character concerns, and the conflicting information surrounding his current injury has fueled doubts about his reliability and future with the Chiefs. The team's decision to wait over two months after he initially reported the injury to place him on injured reserve highlights the uncertainty surrounding his availability.

Given these circumstances, it is uncertain if Simmons will return this season, and his role as the Chiefs' starting left tackle is now in question. His primary responsibility is to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a critical task given Mahomes' value to the team. The ongoing issues surrounding Simmons may lead the Chiefs to reconsider their commitment to him at such a vital position, and his NFL future remains legitimately in doubt.