Josh Simmons is officially back on the practice field for the Kansas City Chiefs, a sight fans haven’t seen since the final week of training camp way back in August. Head coach Andy Reid dropped the big news during his Wednesday press conference, confirming that the left tackle is finally ready to start working his way back in after being sidelined for weeks. This is a massive step forward for the Chiefs’ offensive line, even if it’s just the start.
Easing Back In: Simmons’ Road To Recovery
The big takeaway from Coach Reid’s update is that Simmons is back, but it’s going to be a slow roll. “Just going to ease him back in,” Reid said. “Ease him into practice, so he’s going to practice, but it will be on a limited basis.” That makes total sense, especially when you’re talking about a back injury. We’re talking bulging discs here, something that flared up in the preseason and kept Simmons off the field at One Arrowhead Drive for basically the entire season so far. Missing all that time, you just can’t rush him. The good news? Wide receiver Rashee Rice, dealing with a hamstring, was the *only* guy Reid mentioned wouldn’t be practicing. Everyone else was out there, which is a good sign for overall team health.
The Upside: What Simmons Brings to the Chiefs’ Offense
This isn’t just about getting a body back; it’s about getting a *first-round pick* back. Rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson has done an admirable job filling in during Simmons’ absence, no doubt. But Simmons’ potential upside, the reason he was drafted so high, could absolutely elevate this offense even further once he’s presumably back in the starting lineup. Reid isn’t looking that far ahead yet, saying, “I haven’t even gone there” regarding lineup adjustments. He’s just thrilled Simmons has the chance to get back at all. The real question now is how long it takes him to get up to speed and when we’ll actually see him protecting the quarterback in a game. Back injuries are no joke, as Reid emphasized, and the first step is always the hardest.
The Chiefs are now just waiting for that official injury report from Wednesday’s practice later today. It’ll give us a clearer picture of how “limited” Simmons really was. This is huge for the Chiefs, a chance to get a key piece back and solidify that O-line. Everyone will be watching how he progresses and when he might finally make his season debut.
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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