Heading into Week 4 of the NFL season for the Kansas City Chiefs, one question has lingered from before the season and into preparation for the team’s fourth game: the status of left tackle Josh Simmons (Back).
At the podium before Wednesday’s practice, head coach Andy Reid revealed that Simmons has been dealing with a bulging disk in his lower back.
“[Josh] is making progress,” Reid began. “He’s had a bulging disk in his lower back, and it has kind of hindered the strength of his leg, but he’s working
through it; he’s here every day grinding away.”
“The positive is that he is making progress and getting stronger,” Reid added. “Which is important with those backs, as well all know backs can be kind of tricky.”
On September 2, just under two weeks from the season opener this year, Reid told local media that Simmons’s back flared up.
“He had the back checked, and there’s a spot in there that flared up,” Reid said. “Now, you have to sit here and wait until that thing calms down. He has been here working out and doing the rehab stuff, so we’ll see where it goes.”
Now, looking ahead to the fourth game of the season, Simmons is still not on the practice field. Reid explained that the Chiefs “didn’t have to make any roster moves, so we didn’t have to put him on [the Reserve/Injured list] or anything.”
He added further context on Simmons staying on the active roster through the first four weeks of the schedule.
“The timeline- that would be the other half of not putting him on IR; you just never know with these things,” Reid said. “We just hang with it; the positive is that he’s here, he’s working, and he’s getting better. The exams that he has had, he’s making progress, which is the biggest positive of everything.”
The head coach was asked about the possibility of surgery, since this was the first report of Simmons having a “bulging disk.”
“I think we’re heading in the right direction here, where that shouldn’t happen,” Reid shared. “We’ll see where it all goes. I think we’re going to be, knock on wood, we’re going to be in a good place with time here.”
In Simmons’ place, rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson has been filling in, but opponents have figured him out more each week. Against the Miami Dolphins, he allowed three quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus.
By all accounts, he will continue to man quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blind side for now. We will continue to provide updates on Simmons’ status as more comes out.
