Kansas City Chiefs' Andy Reid Gives Josh Simmons Injury Update After Meeting Incident

Andy Reid addresses the media after the game with Seattle Seahawks.© X/@NFL

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had more than a disappointing loss to explain after his team's 20-3 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night. Questions about Josh Simmons followed him into the postgame press conference after reports surfaced about a tense exchange during a team meeting last week. The incident came just a day before Kansas City placed its left tackle on injured reserve. With speculation growing around the timing, Reid addressed the situation and made one thing clear: Simmons' back injury, not the meeting, led to the decision.

Andy Reid speaks out on Josh Simmons incident

Reid faced questions about the reported confrontation after the Chiefs' first loss of the 2026 season. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Simmons was asked to leave Wednesday's offensive meeting after Reid noticed him sitting with his feet up.

The 2025 first-round pick reportedly explained that his back and hips were hurting. Reid told him to seek treatment from the team's athletic trainers, but the exchange continued until quarterback Patrick Mahomes backed his coach and asked Simmons to leave the room as well.

Simmons left the meeting but remained at the team's facility. He later apologized to Reid and the Chiefs' leadership, acknowledging that he could have handled the situation better.

The following day, Kansas City placed the offensive tackle on injured reserve. The timing raised questions about whether the meeting had influenced the decision, but Reid rejected that suggestion after Sunday's loss.

"Things happen," Reid said. "That's not the reason he was placed on IR. He's got a bad back. He's got to get it worked out, that's the main thing. I'll just leave it at that, that's just where we're at with it."

Josh Simmons faces another setback in his recovery

Simmons' back problems began during training camp in August. An MRI confirmed a bulging disc, and doctors recommended rehabilitation instead of surgery. He missed the Chiefs' first five games before returning to limited practice sessions following the team's Week 5 bye.

However, the 23-year-old continued to experience discomfort and missed practice on Wednesday. Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs' vice president of sports medicine and performance, said the team wanted to give Simmons time to discuss his recovery options with his family and representatives.

Burkholder had previously explained that Simmons' rehabilitation had plateaued, prompting the move to injured reserve. Surgery remained a possibility, although the team hoped to avoid it.

The placement means Simmons must miss at least four games, with Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals marking his earliest possible return. His absence leaves Kansas City relying on undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson at left tackle to protect Mahomes' blind side.