Josh Simmons' NFL Career Faces Uncertainty Amid Latest Injury Setback

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons has been placed on injured reserve due to a bulging disk in his lower back, casting further doubt on his NFL career. The 23-year-old is expected to miss at least four more weeks, having already been sidelined for the first five games of the current season.

Simmons, the 32nd overall pick in the 2025 draft, was intended to be the franchise's left tackle. However, his career has been hampered by injuries and personal matters, resulting in only eight starts.

This latest injury comes after a "mysterious" absence last October, when Simmons missed a game against the Detroit Lions due to unspecified personal reasons. At the time, quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed surprise, and reports indicated that coaches were unaware of his whereabouts. Head coach Andy Reid cited Simmons' need to attend to family matters, while Simmons himself opted to keep details private.

He eventually returned after a four-game hiatus, only to suffer a fractured and dislocated hand three games later, ending his season on injured reserve. Simmons had arrived at training camp in late July aiming to put his injury woes behind him.

However, discomfort in his calf, reported on August 17, was traced by the Chiefs' training staff to his back. An MRI confirmed a herniated and bulging disk. A specialist in California recommended rehabilitation over surgery, which had delayed Simmons' placement on injured reserve until Thursday.

"Josh worked his tail off. He worked diligently with my staff every day, and he improved to the point where he returned to practice in a limited capacity last week," said Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder. "However we feel he plateaued in the recovery process... he's just not there yet."

The decision to place him on IR was mutually agreed upon by Simmons, his family, and the team. Surgery remains not in the immediate forecast.

In Simmons' absence, undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will continue to start at left tackle, protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Benson is expected to start in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.