Chiefs Rule Out Josh Simmons vs Broncos, Rookie Benson Gets First Start
Kansas City's 2025 first-rounder sits with a back injury, forcing an untested rookie to protect Mahomes' blind side on Monday night.
Shaky left tackle raises sack risk against a top Denver front.
- Simmons, 2025 first-round pick, out with back injury
- Kahlil Benson makes NFL debut at left tackle
- DB Chamarri Conner (knee) also ruled out
- Chiefs 2.5-point favorites over Broncos
- KC finished 6-11 in 2025; Denver won the division
Josh Simmons, the Chiefs' first-round pick in 2025, has been ruled out of Monday night's matchup against the Broncos with a back injury. That pushes rookie Kahlil Benson into the lineup at left tackle for his first career game — a brutal spot to make your NFL debut, guarding Patrick Mahomes' blind side against a Denver team that just won the division and locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Kansas City is also down defensive back Chamarri Conner, who's out with a knee injury. Beyond those two, the Chiefs carry no injury designations, which settles the only question that actually matters for fantasy: Mahomes is playing. He's just going to do it behind a much greener left side than the one he planned on.
The line tells its own story. The Chiefs, coming off a 6-11 2025 season, are 2.5-point favorites here despite the Broncos' pedigree as division champs. Vegas still trusts Mahomes and the Kansas City offense to carry the day, even with an unproven tackle in the mix.
The obvious concern is pressure. Denver knows exactly where the soft spot is, and you can bank on them attacking Benson early and often to get home. More heat on Mahomes means a real chance of sacks, hurried throws and stalled drives — none of which help fantasy production, no matter how talented the quarterback is.
The Fantasy Fallout
For Mahomes managers, this isn't a bench-him situation — you're never sitting a quarterback of his caliber over one offensive line reshuffle, especially as a home favorite. But temper the ceiling. A pressured Mahomes tends to lean on quick, short throws, which can cap the big-play upside that makes him a weekly QB1.
The bigger ripple hits the pass-catchers and the run game. If protection breaks down, expect more checkdowns and screens, which nudges value toward Kansas City's backs and slot targets over the downfield options. Keep an eye on how Benson holds up in the first quarter — if he gets bullied, the whole offense shrinks. Start Mahomes with confidence but modest expectations, and watch the trenches before trusting the deep threats.
