The Kansas City Chiefs have placed starting left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve due to a back injury plateau ahead of Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have placed starting left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve ahead of their Week 7 Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, dealing a major blow to an offensive line already impacted by injuries this season.
Simmons’ recovery from a back injury has “plateaued,” according to details provided Thursday by Chiefs vice-president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder. The club’s decision means Simmons will miss at least four games because of the IR designation.
Burkholder’s update indicated Simmons first reported calf discomfort in August, but an MRI revealed the underlying issue was a bulging disc in his back. Simmons improved through rehabilitation, but later evaluation showed his recovery had not progressed further.
Simmons has been dealing with the back injury since training camp and has not made his 2026 regular-season debut. He appeared to be trending toward a return after taking part on a limited basis in all three practices ahead of Kansas City’s Week 6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he did not play against the Chargers and was again unable to practice Wednesday.
The Chiefs could also face another lineup challenge at tackle. Right tackle Jaylon Moore is in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s win over the Chargers, and he did not practice Wednesday.
With Simmons sidelined and Moore’s status uncertain, Kansas City’s offense may need multiple adjustments up front when it faces a Seattle defense that will be looking to pressure quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
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