Josh Simmons timeline, from sudden absence from Chiefs to return to Kansas City

Daniel Mader

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Josh Simmons timeline, from sudden absence from Chiefs to return to Kansas City image

When the Kansas City Chiefs used their 2025 first-round pick on offensive lineman Josh Simmons, he immediately became a key contributor. Protecting Patrick Mahomes has been one of the team’s few weaknesses in recent years.

However, Simmons — drafted out of Ohio State — missed a significant chunk of his rookie campaign.

Initially added to the Chiefs’ injury report in Week 6, Simmons’ absence was later attributed to a “family situation.” The rookie was away from the team for multiple weeks but has since returned to Kansas City.

Here’s a full timeline of Simmons’ absence from the Chiefs.

Josh Simmons timeline

Oct. 10: Simmons initially not listed with injury for Week 6

Simmons played in the first five games of the 2025 season as a rookie, quickly becoming a starter on the offensive line. In Week 6, the Chiefs released their injury report on Oct. 10 for an upcoming game against the Detroit Lions.

Simmons was not listed on that report, as the Chiefs did not have any injuries heading into the game.

Oct. 12: Simmons listed as questionable six hours before kickoff, ruled out

Simmons first popped up on the Chiefs' injury report around six hours before "Sunday Night Football" in Week 6. He was listed as questionable, with no apparent injury, but rather for "personal" reasons.

At 6:06 p.m. ET, the Chiefs then ruled Simmons out for the game against Detroit, with reasoning largely unknown.

Oct. 15: Andy Reid provides update on Simmons

Days passed after the Week 6 game with no indications of why Simmons was ruled out. Head coach Andy Reid, at his press conference the following Wednesday, said he did not have a timeline for Simmons' return.

 "As far as Josh Simmons' situation goes, I'm not going to comment on it today. [General manager Brett] Veach is handling everything there. And we'll leave it at that," Reid said.

The same day, Mahomes was asked about Simmons, with the quarterback saying: "I’ll keep conversations kind of between us. But I’m always praying for him. I’m praying for all my teammates, so I’m always praying for him. I’ll just keep everything else kind of private to us."

Oct. 17: Andy Reid confirms Simmons is dealing with 'family situation'

On Oct. 16, ESPN reporter Nate Taylor said on radio appearance on 96.5 The Fan that while he couldn't go on the record with any of the information that he had heard from sources, he believed Simmons was dealing with a family matter.

Taylor also said that Simmons being listed with an “illness” ahead of Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars was related to the personal matter.

“I was sort of told yesterday that his blip on the injury report hours before kickoff in the stadium in Jacksonville is related to what he’s dealing with now,” Taylor said.

The following day, Andy Reid said Simmons did not practice ahead of Week 7 and that the offensive lineman was still excused with a “family situation.”

Oct. 23: Reid says team has ongoing communication with Simmons

With Week 7 passing and no updates on Simmons' potential return, Reid again addressed Simmons' absence at his Wednesday press conference. 

He said the team has had communication with Simmons throughout the process and that it was all "positive" at that point, but he didn't have a return timeline. Days prior, ESPN's Kalyn Kahler asked Chiefs owner Clark Hunt if he could speak any on what is happening with Simmons. He responded, "I really can't comment." 

Oct. 24: Simmons reportedly expected back in 'a few weeks'

Around two weeks from the start of Simmons' absence, ESPN reported on Oct. 24 that the offensive lineman was expected by the team to return "in a few weeks," including the possibility of when the team returned from its bye on Nov. 16.

Nov. 3: Josh Simmons returns to Chiefs

Simmons returned to the Chiefs on Nov. 3, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. At that time, there was nearly two weeks until Kansas City's next game, on Nov. 16. The team played the Bills on Nov. 2, but then had a bye week in Week 10.

Nov. 10: Reid says Simmons is expected back in action for Week 11

On a radio appearance on Nov. 10, Andy Reid confirmed that Josh Simmons was expected to return for Week 11. Still, he was hesitant to specify how the team would re-integrate Simmons.

"We know what Josh is capable of, so we'll just see where we're at when they get back," Reid said.

Two days later, Reid said he wanted to see Simmons practice before deciding if he'd return to being a starter.

"He'll jump in and see what he can do and mix it up out there... I just want to see him back in there... I'm glad he's back and can get going," Reid said, per Charles Goldman. "Let's see how he is... I'm sure he's going to be OK, but we'll see."

Simmons was seen practicing on Nov. 12. He was listed as a full participant by the team on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of a matchup against the Broncos.

Simmons was off the injury report by Friday, set to make his return in Week 11.

What happened to Josh Simmons?

Simmons’ absence from the Chiefs for several weeks was due to a personal “family matter,” Andy Reid said. Further details were not provided by the team.

Simmons’ absence began in Week 6, and he returned to the team during its Week 11 bye.

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