The scoreboard read 9-9 after the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, but honestly, who cares about the tie? For the Chiefs, all eyes were on what Head Coach Andy Reid had to say about star offensive tackle Josh Simmons, who was a complete no-show on the field. The big question, confirmed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, was whether Simmons’ back pain, which kept him out of practice all week, was serious.
Simmons’ Back and Reid’s Confident Outlook
Simmons, a second-year tackle, has been undergoing testing for that back pain, and the Chiefs’ brass has been keeping things tight-lipped until now. But after the game, Coach Reid gave Pete Sweeney of the Kansas City Star a dose of optimism that definitely makes you raise an eyebrow. Reid expressed confidence that Simmons would be back at practice soon, stressing that the main goal is to get him playing completely pain-free. He acknowledged it won’t be an instant fix, saying, “It’s going to take a little bit of time, here. but he’s a hard worker when it comes to these types of things. It’s just a matter of eliminating some of the pain he has. And strength , making sure he has enough strength, there.” It sounds like they’re being careful, which is smart, but for a guy who’s been absent, that’s a surprisingly positive vibe.
Rookie Steps Up Amidst Other Injuries
With Simmons sidelined, rookie Kahlil Benson got the nod at left tackle against our Hawks, and he’s apparently making a name for himself. Reid sounded genuinely pleased with Benson’s early form, noting the rookie has played three different positions,both tackle spots and right guard,across three preseason games. Reid clearly likes what he’s seeing, gushing, “He’s made improvement every week, and I like the way he goes about his business. I think he stands a chance to be a good player as long as he keeps progressing. There’s still work to be done. He’s a willing worker, and I love that part. He doesn’t normally make the same mistake twice. I love that part. He is a big human being that is a good athlete, and I like that.” That’s high praise for a rookie filling big shoes! Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news on the injury front. Cornerback Melvin Smith Jr. went to the medical tent in the first half and was ruled out with a rib injury, though Reid didn’t offer any other updates from the game itself.
The Chiefs roll into Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, September 10, and that’s when we’ll finally get their first official injury report. Will Simmons be on it, or will Benson be ready to shine and hold down the fort? You know we’ll be watching to see how this all shakes out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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