Kansas City Chiefs Rookie LT Josh Simmons Placed on IR Following Wrist Surgery
The Kansas City Chiefs have been dealt a significant blow to their offensive line depth as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Wednesday that rookie left tackle Josh Simmons has been placed on injured reserve following successful surgery on his left wrist. The procedure addresses a dislocation and fracture sustained during the team’s Week 13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
This roster move guarantees that Simmons will miss at least the next four games. The earliest the first-round pick could potentially return to the active roster would be Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving a massive void on the left side of the line just as the Chiefs fight for this playoff lives.
A Roller Coaster Rookie Campaign
For Simmons, the move to injured reserve marks a frustrating pause in what has been a tumultuous but promising rookie season. The No. 32 overall pick out of Ohio State has faced significant adversity over the last two months. Before suffering the wrist injury against Dallas, Simmons had already missed four games earlier in the season due to an undisclosed family matter.
There is a distinct human element to this setback that goes beyond the depth chart. Simmons battled back from that personal absence to regain his spot on the field, only to suffer a significant physical injury almost immediately upon his return. It is a difficult sequence of events for a young player trying to establish himself in the NFL. However, resilience is nothing new to Simmons. His collegiate career at Ohio State was also interrupted by a season-ending knee injury, a hurdle he cleared to become a first-round talent. The Chiefs will be hoping he can tap into that same mental fortitude during his rehabilitation process over the coming weeks.
The Impact on the Chiefs’ Offensive Front
When the Chiefs selected Simmons at the end of the first round, expectations were high, but he exceeded them almost immediately. During training camp, he managed to beat out veteran Jaylon Moore for the starting left tackle job. This was no small feat, considering Kansas City had signed Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract in free agency. The organization clearly viewed Simmons as the superior option to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside.
Losing a starter of that caliber is difficult for any team, but the timing is particularly precarious for Kansas City. The offensive line is currently navigating a wave of attrition. In addition to Simmons, right tackle Jawaan Taylor is dealing with a left tricep injury, and right guard Trey Smith is nursing a right ankle issue. Neither Taylor nor Smith were expected to practice on Wednesday, creating a scenario where the Chiefs could be fielding a makeshift line against formidable opponents.
The immediate solution for the vacancy at left tackle appears to be Wanya Morris. Morris is expected to slide into the starting role while Simmons recovers. To bolster the roster depth, the Chiefs are elevating offensive tackle Esa Pole from the practice squad to take Simmons’ spot on the 53-man roster.
Looking Ahead to the Houston Texans
The reconfiguration of the offensive line comes at a challenging moment. The Chiefs are preparing to face the Houston Texans this Sunday, a team that boasts one of the league’s most stifling defenses. The Texans currently rank first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game at 16.5 and are also first in total yards allowed per game at 265.7.
For Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense, continuity up front is essential against a defense playing at that level. Integrating a new left tackle while potentially managing injuries on the right side will require significant adjustments in protection schemes and play-calling. The coaching staff will need to determine how much help to give Morris on the edge, potentially utilizing tight ends or running backs for chips and support, which could, in turn, limit the number of eligible receivers in the route tree.
While the four-game absence is a minimum, the hope within the facility is that Simmons can heal quickly enough to contribute in the postseason, if the Chiefs can make it in. Until then, Kansas City faces a rigorous test of its depth and adaptability. The rookie’s ability to return for Week 18 or the playoffs could prove pivotal down the stretch of the season. For now, Simmons faces another rehab process, and the Chiefs face the task of protecting their quarterback without him.
