Sports · American Football · 3 hrs ago
Chiefs place Josh Simmons on injured reserve with back injury
The Kansas City Chiefs placed left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve because of a bulging disk in his lower back.
The 23-year-old will be out for at least four more weeks, after missing the first five games of the season.
Simmons was the Chiefs’ 32nd pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and the team hoped he would become its long-term left tackle.
He has started only eight games, with injuries and personal matters limiting his time on the field.
His recovery has stalled despite rehabilitation, but the team says surgery is not currently planned.
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will continue protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side, starting against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
The Kansas City Chiefs placed left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve on Thursday because of a bulging disc in his lower back.
The 23-year-old is expected to miss the next four games, with a return in Week 10 against the Falcons possible at best.
Head trainer Rick Burkholder said Simmons’ recovery had plateaued after rehabilitation.
Simmons has started eight NFL games since Kansas City selected him 32nd overall in the 2025 draft.
Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has protected quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side to start the season.
- Who
- The Kansas City Chiefs placed left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve.
- What
- Simmons has a bulging disc in his lower back and is expected to miss the next four games.
- When
- Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Kansas City, Missouri. The sources do not state where the decision was made.
- Why
- Simmons’ recovery plateaued, and the team said he needed more time to return to full function.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Simmons reported calf discomfort during training camp, and team physicians suspected a lower-back injury.
A second MRI confirmed that surgery was not necessary, and Simmons continued rehabilitation.
Simmons returned to practice in a limited capacity.
The Chiefs placed Simmons on injured reserve after his recovery plateaued.
- Injury
- Bulging disc in the lower back
- Expected absence
- Next four games
- Possible return
- Week 10 against the Falcons, at best
- Draft position
- 32nd overall in the 2025 draft
- Replacement
- Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson
2 sources
What people are saying
Josh worked his tail off
However we feel he plateaued in the recovery process... he's just not there yet.
It was decided and agreed upon by everybody…that he should be placed on IR to give him more time to return to full function
Posts on X
Chiefs now have officially placed OT Josh Simmons on injured reserve.
Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said Josh Simmons (bulging disc in lower back) is going to be placed on IR. "Josh worked his tail off & dilgent every day. However, we feel his plateaued in the rehab process. he’s just not there yet."
The Chiefs will place Josh Simmons on IR. Here’s Rick Burkholder