The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten off to a strong start to the 2026 NFL season, currently sitting at 5-0 following their recent home win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs have played this entire season without starting offensive lineman Josh Simmons, whom the team selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Now, the team has gotten a worrisome injury update on Simmons as the season progresses.

“Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder says the team feels like LT Josh Simmons has plateaued in his improvement with his back injury. Simmons consulted with his family yesterday to figure out next steps, which is why he missed practice for personal reasons. Burkholder says Simmons has decided to go on injured reserve,” reported Jesse Newell of The Athletic on X, formerly Twitter.

Nate Taylor of ESPN also reported that “Rick Burkholder said Josh Simmons still doesn't need surgery as part of his rehab & recovery from the bulging, herniated disc.”

Back injuries are certainly not something to mess around with, so it's no surprise to see Simmons and the Chief being particularly cautious in his return process.

“It was higher up than what we see in most of our offensive linemen,” Burkholder said of Simmons' MRI, per Taylor.

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The Chiefs' offensive line has been performing relatively well so far this year despite Simmons' absence, paving the way for Kenneth Walker III to look like one of the best running backs in the league so far this season.

Kansas City will next hit the field on Sunday for a road game vs the Seattle Seahawks.