The Kansas City Chiefs have placed second-year left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve, a day after reports of a disagreement in a team meeting with coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Here’s what has been reported so far.
What happened in the meeting
- Simmons had a disagreement with Reid during a team meeting. The full details have not been made public.
- Mahomes told Simmons to leave the room and go get treatment.
- Simmons left the meeting but stayed at the team facility.
- Later that day, he apologized to Reid and the Chiefs’ leadership, according to NFL Network.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said he doesn’t know whether Simmons will play for Kansas City again.
The injury
The IR move is about a back injury, not only the meeting.
- Simmons first complained of a calf problem in August. It turned out to be a bulging disc in his back.
- Doctors recommended rehab instead of surgery.
- After the Week 5 bye, scans showed the disc had improved, and he returned to practice. Then it flared up again, and he was ruled out of Week 6.
- On Wednesday’s injury report he was listed with back and personal reasons.
He must miss at least four games, so the earliest he can return is Week 11.
A difficult start to his career
Simmons, 23, was the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2025. Because of injuries and personal absences, he has played only eight games in his career:
- As a rookie, he missed several weeks for personal reasons.
- He broke his wrist in Week 13 of 2025, which ended his rookie season.
- He has not played at all in 2026.
Who plays left tackle now?
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has been the starter at left tackle while Simmons was out, and that continues.
A rough week in Kansas City
The Chiefs (5-1) are coming off a 20-3 loss in Seattle, their first of the season. Since then:
- Kicker Harrison Butker missed two field goals, and the team signed Justin Tucker to the practice squad.
- NFL Network reports the Chiefs want to add a receiver before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Next up: at Denver on Sunday in a big AFC West game.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports – NFL news, OutKick / Fox News.
