Tough news out of Kansas City: rookie left tackle Josh Simmons suffered a dislocated and fractured wrist during Thursday’s game against the Cowboys. The injury is serious enough that Simmons is expected to be out indefinitely, with an MRI scheduled for Friday to determine the full extent of the damage. He’ll also be consulting with specialists to figure out the best path forward in terms of treatment.
This is a big blow for a Chiefs offensive line that’s been steadily coming into form, and for a young player who was just starting to find his rhythm on the left side. Simmons, just 22, was the final pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft-a selection Kansas City made with clear intent to shore up the edges of their protection for years to come.
Before landing in the NFL, Simmons built his resume at San Diego State, where he started all 13 games at right tackle in 2022. He then transferred to Ohio State in 2023, stepping into a bigger spotlight and facing top-tier competition. That move helped elevate his draft stock, and the Chiefs saw enough to invest a first-round pick in him.
The team signed Simmons to a four-year deal worth just over $14.6 million, which included a hefty $7.3 million signing bonus. There’s also a fifth-year option built into the deal for 2028, giving Kansas City some long-term flexibility if Simmons develops into the franchise cornerstone they’re hoping for.
This season, Simmons had started all seven games he played at left tackle, a position that demands both physical toughness and mental sharpness-especially when you’re protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blind side. For a rookie, he’d been holding his own, showing flashes of the athleticism and technique that made him a first-rounder.
Now, the Chiefs will have to pivot. Depth on the offensive line becomes even more critical as the season grinds on, and replacing a starting left tackle midseason is never easy.
But for Simmons, the focus shifts to recovery and rehabilitation. The hope is that this setback won’t derail what had been a promising start to his NFL career.
For Kansas City, the injury is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the trenches. And for Simmons, it’s the start of a different kind of battle-one that won’t be won on the field, but in the training room and through sheer determination.
