Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons didn’t hit the practice field Wednesday as he battles a bulging disc in his lower back, and that’s a serious red flag heading into their Week 4 road game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed the severity of Simmons’ injury, stating he’s still in recovery mode. That’s a huge blow for the Chiefs offense, no doubt about it.
Sneed’s Knee Remains a Nagging Concern for KC’s Defense
It’s not just Simmons, either. Star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was only a limited participant in practice due to his knee. We all saw him miss some crucial time during their Week 3 win, and rookie slot defender Jadon Canady had to step up and play in his spot. While Sneed’s knee is reportedly managed with limited reps regularly, any missed time, especially after already being out mid-game, just screams ongoing issue. Canady proved he could fill in, but Sneed’s presence is definitely missed when he’s not 100 percent. You gotta wonder how long this “management” will last before it really impacts him.
Good News on the Horizon With Key Defensive Returns
Not all the injury news out of Kansas City was grim, thankfully. Safety Chamarri Conner was a full participant in practice, which means he’s on track to make his season debut against the Raiders. That’s a big boost for the secondary! Also, defensive tackle Chris Jones, who’s been battling a calf injury since Week 1, was a full go. This is the first time he’s fully participated since the season started, and having him at full strength is huge for their D-line. They also had a bunch of other guys full in practice: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah (quad), LB Jeff Bassa (shoulder), DB Jadon Canady (knee), LB Jack Cochrane (calf), DE Ashton Gillotte (knee), DB Jaden Hicks (biceps), WR Rashee Rice (knee), QB Patrick Mahomes (knee), and S Christian Roland-Wallace (shoulder). That’s a good sign for depth and overall team health, especially with some key players working back.
With a tough road game against the Raiders coming up on Sunday, the Chiefs need all hands on deck. Keeping an eye on Simmons’ back and Sneed’s knee will be critical to see how effective they can be, or if the depth guys like Canady will need to step up big again. This early in the season, every snap counts.
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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