KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons, the 2025 first-round pick, has not practiced with his teammates since Aug. 17, when he sustained a lower back injury. After six weeks without details on the severity of the injury, coach Andy Reid revealed Wednesday that Simmons is recovering from a bulging disk.
"It's kind of hindered the strength of his leg, but he's working through it," Reid said of Simmons. "He's working through it. He's here every day, grinding away. We didn't have to make any roster moves or have to put him on [injured reserve]. It's all worked out."
Simmons didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, and he's not expected to play Sunday when the Chiefs face the Las Vegas Raiders. Reid, though, acknowledged that the Chiefs believe Simmons will avoid needed surgery to repair his lower back.