With the NFL's trade deadline looming, the Kansas City Chiefs have been connected to a couple of positions again and again: defensive line and running back. Those make sense as long-term issues (relatively speaking) for general manager Brett Veach to address, but the team's most [recent loss to the Buffalo Bills brings up some other questions](https://arrowheadaddict.com/3-brutal-questions-chiefs-must-answer-after-frustrating-bills-loss-01k93gzw69xb).
Coming out of a Week 9 defeat on the road at Buffalo, the Chiefs are facing serious concerns at other positions. Injuries and absences along the offensive line made life tough for Patrick Mahomes for 60 minutes on Sunday. In addition, coverage concerns in the second level, after watching tight end Dalton Kincaid have quite a day, could bring up the idea of further trade considerations at linebacker
Let's at least consider the situation along the offensive line. Left tackle Josh Simmons, who was the team's first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is away from the team dealing with a personal matter. No official timeline has been given for his return, other than to say that it's eventual. The Chiefs maintain a positive yet private united front on the matter, but ESPN reporter Nate Taylor said on October 24 that Simmons was "[expected to rejoin the team in a few weeks](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46713317/chiefs-rookie-simmons-rejoin-team-weeks)."
The Chiefs are reportedly shopping for trade deadline help, but the loss to the Bills might have lengthened the shopping list.
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While that's a positive turn, and it's entirely possible Simmons could be back after the bye for Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, it's also not a given. Simmons' entire situation was unexpected, so to say anything with any certainty feels a bit slippery.
The reason that Simmons' scenario is so important is because right tackle Jawaan Taylor was also lost with an ankle injury that will be monitored going forward. Taylor left in the fourth quarter against the Bills and never returned, which pressed Wanya Morris into action at the most pivotal point in the entire game.
If the Chiefs had to play next week, it's possible that Jaylon Moore, signed away from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency to a two-year deal, would be starting at left tackle with Morris on the right side. That would leave only Chukwuebuka Godrick or Esa Pole remaining on the roster at tackle, and that's after getting called up from the practice squad.
Security issues are also found along the offensive interior as well. Kingsley Suamataia, who has played very well after taking over for Joe Thuney this season, was hurt in the fourth quarter, although he remained in the game. Trey Smith, the team's Pro Bowl right guard, missed Week 8 with back spasms and played through the pain in Week 9 despite missing practice time before heading to Buffalo.
The bye week is going to help this entire line, but two weeks off might not be enough to bring Simmons back or to get Taylor healthy. It also might not allow Smith to fully heal. If any of these variables prove true—and we've all heard Murphy's Law—then the line could be in trouble during a season-defining part of the schedule immediately after the bye.
Given these potential issues in the season's second half, Veach might want to also check out what options are on the trade block for further help up front. The shopping list might have grown just a bit longer after watching the Chiefs struggle for four quarters against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9.