Chiefs plan to place LT Josh Simmons on IR as disc rehab stalls
Kansas City plans an injured-reserve stint for Josh Simmons after his recovery from a lower-back disc injury stopped progressing toward a return
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to place left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve after his recovery from a bulging disc in his lower back plateaued, according to Ian Rapoport, who cited head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder and reporter Nate Taylor. The move would extend Simmons’ absence rather than return him to the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said Josh Simmons (bulging disc in lower back) is going to be placed on IR. "Josh worked his tail off & dilgent every day. However, we feel his plateaued in the rehab process. he’s just not there yet."View on X →
Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor): Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said Josh Simmons (bulging disc in lower back) is going to be placed on IR. "Josh worked his tail off & dilgent every day. However, we feel his plateaued in the rehab process. he’s just not there yet."
Burkholder described a player who has worked through rehabilitation but has not reached the last steps needed to compete. Simmons had been expected to take part in Wednesday’s practice, a detail included in this desk’s earlier report on Kansas City’s injury picture.
Taylor also reported that Burkholder does not currently expect Simmons to need surgery. That distinction matters: the team is giving rehabilitation more time, not announcing an operation. Burkholder said the location of the disc issue was higher than the staff usually sees in offensive linemen. Neither observation should be turned into a promised date of return.
Kansas City enters the Seahawks week with another offensive-line question: right tackle Jaylon Moore was in concussion protocol and did not practice Wednesday, as this desk previously reported. Simmons’ planned absence is a separate setback at left tackle. The Chiefs must prepare their protection without assuming a quick return from the player they have been trying to bring back from the lower-back problem.