Chiefs’ Josh Simmons out with bulging disk, no timetable for return

Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons has a bulging disk in his lower back, coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. Simmons will miss Sunday’s game in Las Vegas.

Simmons took part in the offseason program and the start of training camp before leaving a mid-August practice with back discomfort. What the Chiefs initially expected could cost him a couple of weeks has stretched into nearly two months, according to the Associated Press.

What Reid said

Reid gave no firm return date but described steady improvement. “He is making progress,” Reid said. “It’s kind of hindered the strength in his leg, but he’s been working through it. He’s here every day, grinding away.”

The Chiefs have not placed Simmons on injured reserve, a distinction Reid pointed to as a sign of optimism. “We didn’t have to make any roster moves — we didn’t have to put him on IR or anything. It’s worked out good that way,” he said.

Reid added that skipping IR, which would have sidelined Simmons at least four games, reflects the team’s belief he could return sooner than that. “The timeline, that would be the other half of not putting him on IR,” Reid said. “You never know with these things.

We just take the positive that he’s here, he’s working, he’s getting better.”

Kansas City has a bye the week after the Raiders game, meaning the earliest Simmons could realistically play again is Oct. 18 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Who has replaced him

Undrafted rookie Benson, who went unsigned out of Indiana until impressing at a Chiefs rookie minicamp, has taken over at left tackle since Simmons was injured. Jaylon Moore shifted to the right side.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised the retooled front. “They’ve done a great job this year, being able to go up against some really good defenses and really good rushers, and being able to protect me,” Mahomes said. “They’re doing a great job in the run game as well, which helps with the pass. They’ll continue to get better and better.”

Season context

Simmons has missed all three of Kansas City’s games this season while working through his back issue. In his absence, Mahomes has been sacked just four times through three games, the fewest sacks per game pace Mahomes has had since the 2020 season. “I have all the trust in the world in them,” Mahomes said of the makeshift line.

Mahomes, who spent much of last year rehabbing a torn knee injury, said he has stayed in touch with Simmons during his recovery. “You put in the work every single day, and you want to be back on that field,” Mahomes said. “I’ve been seeing him.

He’s putting in the work. He’s doing what it takes to get on the field as quickly as possible. Hopefully that’s sooner than later.”

What’s next

The Chiefs play the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday without Simmons, then have a bye before hosting the Chargers on Oct. 18, the earliest realistic target for his return. Reid did not offer a further update beyond describing Simmons’ progress as ongoing.

Reporting from The Associated Press contributed to this story.