Kansas City Chiefs
Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet against the Detroit Lions during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs placed second-year offensive tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve this week with a back injury, sidelining him for at least the next four games. But it turns out there was more to the story.
According to a new report, Simmons was told to leave a team meeting on Wednesday after a dispute with head coach Andy Reid over how he was sitting. Patrick Mahomes reportedly stepped in to back up his coach, and Simmons later apologized.
Simmons’ Rough Start In Kansas City
The Chiefs selected Simmons out of Ohio State in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, hoping that he could become Mahomes’ long-term blindside protector. But things haven’t gone according to plan.
Last season, Simmons missed four games for personal family reasons. Then, on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys, he fractured and dislocated his wrist, requiring surgery that ended his rookie season.
This year has been even more frustrating. Simmons was sidelined in August with calf discomfort, and an MRI revealed a bulging disk in his back. He chose to rehab rather than have surgery, and he was inactive for the Chiefs’ first five games.
All in all, Simmons has played in just eight of a possible 22 games since joining the Chiefs, which is obviously not ideal for the team.
Meeting Dispute
While injuries have been an issue for Simmons since he joined the team, there was also some other conflict this week after he had a confrontation with his coach and quarterback during a team meeting.
According to ESPN’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, Simmons was sitting with his feet up in an offensive meeting on Wednesday when Reid asked him to put them down.
Simmons reportedly told Reid that he needed to sit that way because of pain in his back and hips. Reid then told him that if he was hurting, he should go see the team’s athletic trainers.
The back-and-forth disrupted the meeting until Mahomes stepped in and backed Reid, telling Simmons to leave and get treatment, according to the report. Simmons left the meeting room but stayed in the building.
He later apologized to Reid and the team’s leadership, saying that he could have handled the situation better, per the report.
Simmons didn’t practice that day, and the Chiefs listed him on the injury report as “back/not injury related-personal.” The team said that it gave him time to speak with his family and representatives about his rehab.
Simmons Lands On IR
On Thursday, the Chiefs placed Simmons on injured reserve with what the report described as a “bulging, herniated disk” in his lower back.
He’ll miss at least four games, beginning with Sunday night’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The earliest he can return is Week 11, against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 22.
To make matters worse for Kansas City, right tackle Jaylon Moore is also out against Seattle with a concussion, with Joshua Ezeudu expected to start in his place.
Clearly, Simmons’ time in Kansas City hasn’t gotten off to the start that anyone hoped for.
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