The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 3-0 with a 24-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but questions linger about the health of their starting left tackle.
Coach Andy Reid met with reporters Monday and reported no new injuries from the Week 3 win. He sounded optimistic that safety Chamarri Conner could make his 2026 debut next Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The same could not be said for offensive tackle Josh Simmons. When asked whether Simmons might return to practice this week, Reid offered a brief reply.
“I’ll tell you what, I will let you guys know when Josh is coming back,” Reid said. “I’ll be the first to tell you. We’ll just see how all that works.”
Simmons has not practiced since a back injury in mid-August during training camp. The absence has now stretched through the entire preseason and the first three regular-season games.
Kansas City chose not to place Simmons on injured reserve at the start of the season. That decision suggested the club expected him to return before the Week 5 bye.
Reid has repeatedly described Simmons as working hard at the facility while he recovers. The coach has also said the team anticipated the tackle could miss two, three or four games while swelling in his back subsided.
Rookie Kahlil Benson has started in Simmons’ place at left tackle. Benson performed adequately in the first two weeks but struggled against Miami.
According to tracking data cited by team observers, Benson allowed three pressures and three quarterback hits in Week 3. He has generally held up better as a run blocker than in pass protection.
Patrick Mahomes has remained productive behind the current line, but the Chiefs would prefer fewer hits on their franchise quarterback. Simmons was selected in the first round of the 2025 draft and is viewed as having high-end starting potential.
The Chiefs play the Raiders in Week 4 before a bye in Week 5. A realistic return target for Simmons could be the Week 6 home game against the Los Angeles Chargers, which would give him additional practice time after the break.
Reid indicated the staff wants to see how Simmons’ back responds before rushing him back onto the field. The team has taken a similar cautious approach with Conner after his own knee issue.
Simmons’ continued absence leaves Kansas City relying on an undrafted rookie on the blind side. Benson’s development will be watched closely if Simmons remains out beyond Week 4.
The Chiefs have won their first three games despite the offensive line uncertainty. Their next test comes against a Raiders team that will try to exploit any remaining gaps in pass protection.
Reid has maintained that Simmons is present for meetings and rehab work. The coach has downplayed rumors that anything beyond the back injury is keeping the tackle off the practice field.
Until Simmons appears on a practice report, Kansas City will continue with Benson at left tackle. The coming week of practice will provide the next official indication of whether the first-round pick is nearing a return.
