Chiefs to place Josh Simmons on injured reserve

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WIBW) - Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons is being placed on injured reserve due to a back injury. Simmons has been sidelined for over two months.

Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder shared details of Simmons’ injury timeline and next steps with the media on Thursday.

“We feel that he’s plateaued in the rehab process, as he’s trying to get to the final steps of recovery with return to competition,” Burkholder said. “And he’s just not there yet.”

Simmons has dealt with a bulging disc in his lower back since training camp. Burkholder said the 2025 1st round pick will go on injured reserve. Simmons practiced in a limited capacity last week.

“Josh worked his tail off,” Burkholder said. “He worked diligently with my staff every day and has improved to the point where he returned to practice in a limited capacity last week.”

Simmons did not participate in Wednesday’s practice while the Chiefs prepare for a matchup with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.

Burkholder said Simmons still does not need surgery despite being placed on injured reserve.

“He’ll continue with the rehab process with the goal of returning to play at a high level that he achieved in the past,” Burkholder said. “I just give (Simmons) a ton of credit for navigating through this injury to the point where surgery is not recommended and that he needs more time to return to full function.”

Simmons will not be eligible to return for at least four games: a Week 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals is the earliest Simmons can return. He has missed 14 of a possible 22 games during his career.

Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has started at left tackle in Simmons’ absence in each of the Chiefs’ first five games.