Josh Simmons, an offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and has been a starter on the team’s offensive line this season.
Ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 6 matchup against the Detroit Lions on “Sunday Night Football,” Simmons was added to the injury report and listed as questionable just hours before the game. He did not play and has not been with the team during the Week 7 lead-up to Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Kansas City has listed Simmons on its injury report as “Not Injury Related — Personal.” ESPN’s Nate Taylor who covers Kansas city, said that the timing of the situation was “extremely unusual.”
Here is more on what we know about Simmons’ unusual absence from the Chiefs.
** This story will be updated as additional information becomes available
Josh Simmons updates
Simmons was ruled out ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 6 game due to personal reasons. He did not practice any day in Week 7 and missed his second consecutive game.
On Oct. 24, however, ESPN reported the Chiefs are expecting Simmons to return “in a few weeks,” potentially when the team returns from its bye on Nov. 16.
What happened to Josh Simmons?
We don’t know for sure. The only concrete information that we have been given is that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Simmons is “dealing with a family matter back home in California.”
Josh Simmons personal issue timeline
Chiefs have no injury designations on final Week 6 injury report
October 10: The Chiefs released their final injury designations for the Week 6 game against the Detroit Lions. No players were listed.
There are no injury designations for Sunday Night’s game against the Lions.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 10, 2025
Simmons is added to game day injury report as questionable
October 12: Simmons was added to the injury report at 2:57 p.m. ET on game day, less than six hours before kickoff. He was listed as questionable with the description (Not Injury Related – Personal).
T Josh Simmons has been added to the injury report. He is questionable for tonight’s game (Not Injury Related – Personal). https://t.co/qCeTgJJDcN
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 12, 2025
Simmons is ruled out for Week 6
October 12: Simmons was downgraded to out at 6:06 p.m. ET.
Josh Simmons has been downgraded to out. https://t.co/RUdMMe4q1o
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 12, 2025
ESPN’s Nate Taylor provides insight on ‘Only Weird Games’ Podcast
October 14: In a podcast appearance on Tuesday, the ESPN Chiefs beat reporter provided information on what he knew about the absence. “He left at a time on Sunday that is extremely unusual. and I’m not sure when he’s coming back. I don’t know if the team — as of right now, the team doesn’t know when he’s coming back. No one associated with the Kansas City Chiefs has said to me, ‘Oh, he’ll be back Thursday or he’ll be back Friday or we anticipate him to be back at a certain point in time.'”
Andy Reid speaks about Simmons
October 15: On Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media in his weekly press conference. About Simmons, he said, “As far as Josh Simmons’ situation goes, I’m not going to comment on it today. [General manager Brett] Veach is handling everything there. And we’ll leave it at that.” Reid was asked if they had a timeline for the offensive lineman’s return, and he shook his head no.
Patrick Mahomes is asked about Simmons
October 15: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also had an appearance at the press conference and was asked about his teammate. He said, “I’ll keep conversations kind of between us. But I’m always praying for him. I’m praying for all my teammates, so I’m always praying for him. I’ll just keep everything else kind of private to us.”
ESPN’s Nate Taylor provides more context
October 16: ESPN Chiefs beat reporter Nate Taylor had a radio appearance on 96.5 The Fan. He couldn’t go on the record with any of the information that he had heard from sources. He simply said, “I do believe it is a family matter.” Taylor also added that Simmons’ Week 5 add to the injury report ahead of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars of an “illness” was related to this personal matter. “I was sort of told yesterday, that his blip on the injury report hours before kickoff in the stadium in Jacksonville is related to what he’s dealing with now.”
Taylor ended the segment with “I can’t imagine what he’s going through, based on what I’ve heard.”
It is confirmed to be a family situation
October 17: Head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Simmons did not practice on Friday. He added that the offensive lineman is still excused and confirmed that it was due to a “family situation.”
No update starting Week 8
October 21: ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler asked Chiefs owner Clark Hunt at the fall NFL league meetings if he could speak any on what is happening with Simmons. He responded, “I really can’t comment.”
Andy Reid provides small update
October 23: During his weekly press conference, Andy Reid said that the team has had ongoing communication with Simmons and that it is all “positive” at this point. Reid still didn’t provide an update on a return timeline.
Josh Simmons expected back in “a few weeks”
October 24: ESPN reported the Chiefs are expecting Simmons to return “in a few weeks,” potentially when the team returns from its bye on Nov. 16.
