Once again, no one knows when Josh Simmons will return - perhaps including the Chiefs

Key Points:

• Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons, a key player responsible for protecting Patrick Mahomes, has been absent from the team for much of his two-season career, playing only 8 of 20 games since being drafted.
• Simmons' 2024 patellar tendon injury was initially expected to heal well, but concerns about his character, rather than his health, reportedly caused him to fall to the last pick in the first round; these character concerns remain unclear.
• In October 2025, Simmons mysteriously disappeared from the team for several games citing a "personal/family issue," with the organization providing minimal information and reportedly not knowing his whereabouts at the time.
• Simmons has missed the first three games of the 2026 season due to a reported back injury, but the Chiefs have offered vague updates, fueling speculation that his absence may be linked to deeper issues beyond injury.
• The Chiefs have maintained Simmons on the active roster without clear communication, leading to public speculation about his future with the team and calls for the organization to provide either an explanation or a roster decision.