Josh Simmons ruled out against Chargers after limited practice week

Josh Simmons will not make his season debut against the Chargers on Sunday. Kansas City listed its left tackle as out with a back injury on the final Friday injury report after he practiced on a limited basis throughout the week.

Andy Reid said Simmons worked on fundamentals without participating in team periods. Chiefs Digest reporter Matt Derrick reported that the coach described that approach as part of the plan for bringing Simmons back. A to Z Sports reporter Charles Goldman also relayed Reid's explanation that Simmons was excited to rejoin his teammates on the field.

Friday's decision keeps the return timetable open. The Chiefs also ruled receiver Rashee Rice out with hamstring and knee injuries and listed cornerback L'Jarius Sneed as questionable with a knee injury.

Earlier reporting

Josh Simmons returned to practice Wednesday and was officially listed as limited with his back injury on the Chiefs’ first report before their game against the Chargers. It was his first regular-season practice after missing the start of the season.

Andy Reid said before the session that Kansas City would ease the left tackle back in. Wednesday’s participation moves his recovery beyond the rehabilitation-only stage, but the Chiefs have not announced his game status. Kahlil Benson has played left tackle during Simmons’ absence. Rashee Rice remained a nonparticipant with hamstring and knee injuries.

Earlier reporting

On September 30, Chiefs coach Andy Reid identified Josh Simmons' lingering back injury as a bulging disc in his lower back, giving a clearer explanation for the left tackle's absence through Kansas City's first three games. Reid said Simmons would not practice that Wednesday, although he was progressing in his rehabilitation.

The injury had affected strength in Simmons' leg, Reid said. The coach did not then expect surgery to be necessary, but he had not set a return date. That left Kansas City preparing for its trip to Las Vegas with the same uncertainty at left tackle that it has managed since the preseason.

Simmons had remained on the active roster. Reid said the uncertain recovery timeline was part of the decision to avoid injured reserve, which would have required a minimum four-game absence. Remaining off that list has preserved flexibility; it had not produced an earlier return to the field.

Former undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson has started in Simmons' place. Yahoo Sports reported that Benson had allowed three pressures in each of his first three games but no sacks, citing Pro Football Focus.

The Chiefs and Raiders entered Sunday's AFC West game at 3-0. Kansas City then had a Week 5 bye before facing the Chargers in Week 6, providing another interval in which Simmons could continue his recovery. Neither that schedule nor Reid's encouraging assessment was an announced target date for his return.

Sources for the Wednesday update

Chiefs: Wednesday practice report · NBC: Simmons officially limited in return · Reid: Simmons will ease back into practice · Chiefs: Kahlil Benson official profile

Additional source reporting

NFL: Reid gives Wednesday Simmons injury update · Reid explains Simmons’ back injury · Simmons progresses as Benson fills in

Matt McMullen: Reid’s pre-practice plan to ease Simmons back in