The Kansas City Chiefs are one of three undefeated teams left in the NFL. Heading into Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks, the Chiefs are 5-0.
What’s so impressive about this record is that they’ve done this despite some significant injury issues on the offensive side of the ball. Rashee Rice is banged up and has missed time, Tyquan Thornton is done for the year, and Josh Simmons has yet to play this year.
Unfortunately, Simmons’ injury isn’t getting any better. According to ESPN’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs’ head trainer revealed Simmons has “plateaued” in his rehab process, and the first-round offensive tackle will be hitting injured reserve this season.
Chiefs to place Josh Simmons on IR as injury recovery has ‘plateaued’
“Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said Josh Simmons (bulging disc in lower back) is going to be placed on IR,” Taylor reports.
This is a brutal blow for the Chiefs, as Simmons was supposed to be the team’s starting left tackle, but he’s yet to play a single game this season due to injury.
Burkholder revealed why Simmons isn’t coming back, beyond simply the bulging disc in his back causing an issue.
“Josh worked his tail off & diligent every day,” Burkholder said per Taylor. “However, we feel he’s plateaued in the rehab process. He’s just not there yet.”
While the placement of Simmons on IR is a tough blow, the reasoning for it makes the decision hurt that much more.
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His recovery from a back injury isn’t going well, as he’s not getting better according to this report. So, with the Chiefs’ OT not getting any better, they’ve decided to place him on IR.
This means that Khalil Benson will remain the team’s starting left tackle while Simmons recovers from this back injury.
Simmons can return as soon as Week 11 for the Chiefs, when they face off against the Arizona Cardinals in late November.
While this isn’t an issue that’ll require surgery, it’s still a huge piece of news for the Chiefs and their offense, as their first-round offensive tackle meant to anchor this line, and has impressed when he’s been on the field, is now going to miss at least four more games.
