Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons out for third consecutive game amid unclear injury status

Kansas City’s starting left tackle Josh Simmons has been unavailable for the team’s first three games of the 2025 season due to a back injury. The Chiefs have kept him on the active roster but have offered no specific timetable for his return.

Simmons, the 32nd overall pick in the 2024 draft, previously suffered a patellar tendon injury at Ohio State and was expected to recover quickly. This season, he missed practice on Aug. 18 and has not participated in any subsequent sessions, according to reports from sports journalists.

Undrafted rookie right tackle Khali Benson has filled in at left tackle, though his performance against the Miami Dolphins highlighted challenges in protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Head coach Andy Reid told reporter Matt Derrick, "I’ll tell you what, I will let you guys know when Josh is coming back. I’ll be the first to tell you. So we’ll just see how that all works out." Reid has provided more detailed updates for other injured players, but has remained vague about Simmons.

The Chiefs have not confirmed whether Simmons’ absence is due to a personal matter or solely the back injury, and they have not placed him on injured reserve or the non-football injury list. The lack of detailed information has led to speculation among analysts and fans.