Andy Reid just dropped the truth bomb on the Chiefs’ offensive line. The head coach admitted left tackle Josh Simmons has a back issue that “flared up” and needs time to “calm down.” This isn’t a minor tweak. It’s a real problem that could keep Simmons out for the Week 1 opener against Denver. Reid didn’t sugarcoat it when he told the media exactly what happened.
The Injury Timeline Gets Messy
Simmons has been sitting on the sidelines since mid-August. He missed the final two preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the L.A. Rams. According to Arrowhead Pride, he didn’t even step on the field for Wednesday’s practice. Regarding the medical details, Reid stated, “He had the back checked, and there’s a spot in there that flared up.” That spot is now a big worry for a team that needs its starting tackle healthy.
Last Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that Simmons was undergoing additional testing after being inactive for two weeks. Although an unnamed source told ESPN reporter Nate Taylor that everything would be “fine,” Reid’s public comments tell a different story. He said, “Now, you have to sit here and wait until that thing calms down.” Waiting is the last thing a team wants before the season starts.
Replacements Step Into the Spotlight
The good news is the other guys are ready to play. Reid noted, “The other guys are doing a nice job in there.” He also said, “It was good to see our guys roll without Josh in there, but it was also good to see the new guys get practice in too.” The depth chart is getting tested, and the backups are getting reps. They have to be ready to go if Simmons can’t shake the pain.
Reid insisted from the very beginning that this injury would be short-term. Arrowhead Addict reported that the coach held that line even as the days ticked by. Now, the reality of the flare-up sets in. He has been working out and doing rehab, but the timeline remains unclear. “We’ll just see where it goes,” Reid said. That uncertainty is the only thing that matters right now.
Week 1 Hangs in the Balance
The Chiefs can’t afford to start the season without a solid left tackle. The team needs protection for their quarterback, and Simmons was the guy chosen to do it. If he can’t play, the pressure shifts to the backups immediately. Reid’s words make it clear that the team is in a holding pattern. “He’s been here working out and doing the rehab stuff,” Reid said, but the final decision rests on how that back reacts.
The wait continues until the injury calms down. If it doesn’t, the Chiefs face a tough Week 1 without their starter.
