The Kansas City Chiefs placed left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve Thursday, a move that will keep their first-round pick sidelined until at least Week 11 as he continues to battle a bulging disc in his lower back, according to CBS Sports. Simmons has yet to take a regular-season snap this year, and the Chiefs confirmed he does not need surgery but requires more recovery time.
The decision comes after weeks of hope that Simmons could work his way back onto the field. Instead, his rehab has stalled to the point where the team felt it had no choice but to shut him down for an extended stretch.
What The Team Said
Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder explained the thinking behind the move in blunt terms. “Josh worked his tail off and [was] diligent every day,” Burkholder said, according to ESPN. “However, we feel he’s plateaued in the rehab process. He’s just not there yet.”
That plateau is the key detail. Simmons was not hurt in a new incident; the same back issue that kept him out of camp and the regular season simply has not progressed enough for him to practice, let alone play. Per Yahoo Sports, the move means Simmons is set to miss at least four more weeks. Under IR rules, he is eligible to return for Kansas City’s Week 11 matchup against Arizona on Nov. 22, according to NFL.com.
Who Replaces Him At Left Tackle
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has handled the starting left tackle job in Simmons’ absence and is projected to keep doing so through at least the Week 11 return window. Benson’s early returns have been uneven. Pro Football Focus has charged him with 12 pressures allowed through five games, a number that ranks 30th among 75 qualified tackles with at least 100 snaps this season.
Season Context For Simmons
Simmons, the Chiefs’ first-round pick at No. 32 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, has had a difficult path since entering the league. He played in just eight games as a rookie, missing Weeks 6 through 9 for personal reasons before suffering a dislocated and fractured wrist in Week 13. This season has brought a new setback, as the bulging disc has kept him out of every game so far and now sends him to injured reserve for the first time in his career.
What’s Next
Simmons is eligible to return for Kansas City’s Week 11 game against Arizona on Nov. 22.
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