Chiefs place Josh Simmons on IR, raising questions about his entire future in the NFL

On Thursday, Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rich Burkholder told reporters that Simmons reported a leg issue on August 17, which the team determined was related to a bulging disc in his back.Burkholder said Simmons saw a specialist who recommended therapy instead of surgery.Simmons has not played a down this season.

He practiced in a limited capacity last week for the first time since reporting the injury to Burkholder.On Wednesday, the team listed him as a non-participant in practice for "back/non-injury personal reasons."Burkholder said Simmons used the day to speak with his family before deciding it would be best to go on injured reserve.

The designation requires Simmons to miss at least four games.Put bluntly, skepticism about the Chiefs' version of events is warranted.Offensive tackle Josh Simmons #71 of the Kansas City Chiefs stands on the team sideline during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Arrowhead Stadium on Aug.15, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo.

(Getty Images)In August, reporters close to the team repeatedly reported that the injury was minor and that Simmons would return by Week 1.He didn't.The next explanation was that the Chiefs had not placed him on injured reserve because they expected him to play within the first four weeks.

He never did.So what changed?Burkholder says Simmons "plateaued" in his recovery.If so, head coach Andy Reid was unaware.

On Monday, Reid said Simmons would continue to "ramp up" this week.On Wednesday morning, Reid did not include Simmons among the players who would not practice.ONCE AGAIN, NO ONE KNOWS WHEN JOSH SIMMONS WILL RETURN — PERHAPS INCLUDING THE CHIEFSThe team's explanation is that Reid simply forgot to mention his starting left tackle's status.Simmons' history adds another mysterious element to the situation.

In fact, "mysterious" was the word ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler used to describe it last month.Fowler's comment was notable because most other top national NFL...