The Kansas City Chiefs‘ injury report on Thursday finally saw full participation. Rashee Rice is returning from his suspension, too, for Week 7. But Josh Simmons, who has seemed to be just the answer for the team’s years-long left tackle problem, continues to be absent. What started as ‘questionable’ is now starting to sound a lot more serious.

During an appearance on 96.5 The Fan this Thursday, Chiefs insider Nate Taylor added fuel to the speculation. “I do believe it’s a family matter,” he started. “I’m fearful, which is probably the best way I can explain what I’ve heard. I’m fearful because we don’t have all the answers right now, and that makes the outcome perhaps grim. I just want people to understand that this is really difficult for Josh. That’s definitely a possibility Josh Simmons plays again this season. The kid loves football.”

Simmons hadn’t missed a single game all season until the Chiefs listed him as ‘questionable’ for the October 12th game against Detroit. The left tackle ended up missing that game. Just hours prior to that, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the 2025 first-rounder out of Ohio State had flown down to California to address a family situation.

In the days that followed, Simmons missed practice, and the team refused to comment on his situation.

Andy Reid and the team have remained tight-lipped, beyond expressing sympathy with the rookie. “As far as the Josh Simmons situation goes, I’m not going to comment on it today,” the head coach told reporters on Wednesday. “[Chiefs general manager Brett] Veach is handling everything there. We’ll leave it at that.”

The players followed suit. Patrick Mahomes told reporters he’s keeping whatever he knows “private,” but added that he’s “praying for” his young teammate.

Despite coming off a torn patella tendon and raising a bit of a worry with “character concerns,” Simmons blended well with the Chiefs. The team had started five different left tackles in five Super Bowls before they seemed to have found stability in the rookie. Through the first five games, Simmons played 95% of the offensive snaps. That’s a huge workload for a first-year tackle, but he’s made the most of it.

Against the Raiders, though, as the Chiefs see their offensive team in near-full strength [except for Simmons’ absence] for the first time in a year, Mahomes will have to make do with a second-time starter.

Patrick Mahomes loses Simmons for the foreseeable future

Jaylon Moore stepped in for Simmons last week, and to his credit, he held his own for most of the game. But you can’t overstate just how important Simmons has been for Mahomes and this offense.

The Chiefs drafted him out of Ohio State after a standout college career that began at San Diego State, and it didn’t take long for him to earn the starting job. Rightfully so.

Simmons is already graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 24 tackle in pass protection out of 114 qualified linemen. He’s steady, dependable, and the kind of player who makes Mahomes’ life a whole lot easier in the pocket. So losing him, even temporarily, is a big deal. The Chiefs’ offense has started to find its rhythm lately, and protecting Mahomes is the key to keeping that momentum.

For now, it’s Moore’s job again. He got the last-minute start against Detroit and did pretty well, giving up just one pressure all game until Al-Quadin Muhammad got to Mahomes for a sack in the fourth quarter. Still, Mahomes made it clear he trusts his backup.

“I think it’s just I know the work that Jaylon has put in. He’s been a professional every single day, every time he’s been in there, if that’s been left tackle, right tackle, guard, wherever it is. He’s done his job and done it well,” Mahomes said.