Kansas City Chiefs fans, buckle up. The first injury report of the 2026 NFL season just dropped, and it’s already delivering a gut punch to their offensive line. Starting left tackle Josh Simmons was a complete non-participant in Thursday’s practice, dealing with a back injury that head coach Andy Reid himself admitted gives him a “good chance” to miss Monday night’s divisional clash against the Broncos. This isn’t just a minor ding; this is a critical position protecting Patrick Mahomes, and it’s ringing alarm bells before the season even truly gets going.
The Left Tackle Hole
Losing your starting left tackle, especially this early in the season, is never ideal. Simmons has a back injury, and those things can linger. With the Broncos game looming on Monday night, every snap he misses in practice is a lost opportunity to build cohesion. You need that continuity upfront, especially when you’re facing a division rival right out of the gate. Rookie Kahlil Benson is now slated to step in if Simmons can’t go. That’s a huge ask for a first-year player, especially protecting a generational talent like Mahomes. Think about it, the pocket protection is everything for a quarterback. Any misstep, any missed block, and suddenly you’ve got pressure in Mahomes’ face, risking big hits or stalled drives. This isn’t how you want to kick off your campaign, is it?
The Injury Report: A Mixed Bag
While Simmons’ status is the headline, the rest of the Chiefs’ injury report gives us a clearer picture of their early-season health. Cornerback Chamarri Conner also missed practice with a knee injury, adding another name to the non-participant list. You never want to see key defensive backs sidelined, especially against a team like the Broncos looking to exploit any weakness. On the brighter side, a long list of players were full participants, which is a relief. Patrick Mahomes himself was listed with a knee issue, but being a full participant means he’s out there slinging it, which is the most important thing. Linebacker Jack Cochrane (knee), defensive end Ashton Gillotte (foot), wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee), guard Trey Smith (hip), cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee), defensive end R Mason Thomas (hamstring), and wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) were all practicing in full. It’s a reminder that even early in the season, almost everyone is playing through something. Still, seeing so many players with nagging knee issues, even if they’re full go, tells you that the grind is real from day one. You just hope these don’t develop into bigger problems down the line.
So, as the Chiefs gear up for that Monday night showdown against the Broncos, all eyes will be on the left side of that offensive line. Can Kahlil Benson step up and protect Mahomes’ blind side? Can the rest of the squad, especially those playing through minor ailments, push through and deliver? The season is a marathon, not a sprint, but these early tests, especially against a division rival, can set the tone. How they handle Simmons’ potential absence will tell us a lot about their depth and resilience right off the bat. Get ready, Monday night is going to be a fascinating watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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