Chiefs Rookie LT Josh Simmons Sidelined by Back Injury as Preseason Ends

Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons is still dealing with a back injury, and Andy Reid confirmed Wednesday that the No. 32 overall pick from the 2025 draft is being evaluated rather than practicing. Reid said Simmons is simply getting his back checked out and that the team needs to figure out exactly what's wrong before pushing him back onto the field.

It's the second injury cloud over a player who already carries one. Simmons tore a patellar tendon during his final season at Ohio State, a stretch in which he started just eight games before Kansas City took a swing on him late in the first round. Reid noted Simmons has looked good when he's been available — the problem is availability.

For now, Kahlil Benson gets the reps that matter. Benson, listed as the backup left tackle on the depth chart, will start the Chiefs' final preseason game on the blind side while Esa Pole and Ethan Driskell sit behind him. Reid said he wants to see how Benson handles the assignment this week.

Why It Matters for Fantasy

There's no direct fantasy line to draw here — offensive tackles don't score points. But the ripple effect is real if you roster Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, or any Kansas City pass-catcher. A rookie coming off a torn patellar and now a back issue protecting Mahomes' blind side is a variable you'd rather not have heading into Week 1.

Watch the practice reports closely between now and the opener. If Simmons stays limited and Benson holds the job into the regular season, it's a modest downgrade to Mahomes' clean-pocket rate — enough to tap the brakes on Chiefs skill guys as league-winning locks, not enough to bench anyone. Keep Simmons himself on the mental watch list; his health is a KC storyline that could quietly shape the offense's floor.