Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Appears Fed Up With One Lingering Injury Storyline

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed frustration during Friday’s press conference when reporters repeatedly questioned Patrick Mahomes’ teammate Josh Simmons’ back injury. Reid urged the media to stop focusing on the offensive tackle’s rehabilitation and shift their attention to the team’s current performance. Simmons, a 2025 first-round draft pick, has yet to play any games in the 2026 season due to his injury.

The injury began during training camp on August 17, starting with calf discomfort that later revealed a back issue. A series of medical examinations and MRIs confirmed a bulging or herniated disc in Simmons’ lower back, a condition typically uncommon in offensive tackles. Initially, the Chiefs opted for rehabilitation rather than surgery, also seeking a second opinion from a spine specialist in California.

An MRI taken after the second opinion showed improvement, leading the team to deem surgery unnecessary. However, Simmons’ rehabilitation progress slowed, and the Chiefs ultimately placed him on injured reserve on October 22, requiring him to miss at least four games before he can return. His earliest possible return is set for Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals on November 22, but this date only indicates his eligibility to play, not his readiness.

In Simmons’ absence, undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has filled in at left tackle. With the Chiefs counting on their remaining offensive linemen to compensate for Simmons’ absence, they continue to monitor his recovery.