KANSAS CITY, MO – In a development that’s sent ripples through Chiefs Kingdom just hours before their pivotal Week 7 clash with the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs have opted against placing rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons on the NFL’s Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. The decision, which leaked via insider reports on Saturday evening, signals optimism within the organization that the 22-year-old first-round pick could return sooner than later, sparing the team a mandatory four-game absence.
The absence of Simmons, the No. 32 overall selection out of Ohio State in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been shrouded in mystery since he abruptly left the team last week to address an undisclosed “personal” matter. Head coach Andy Reid has maintained a tight-lipped stance, deferring all updates to general manager Brett Veach, who confirmed the situation is being handled internally. While specifics remain scarce—described only as a “family matter” by sources close to the team—the Chiefs’ choice not to invoke the NFI designation provides the clearest indication yet of their expectations.
Under NFL rules, placement on the NFI list would sideline a player for a minimum of four contests, opening a 53-man roster spot but effectively benching Simmons through matchups against the Washington Commanders (October 27), Buffalo Bills (November 3), and Denver Broncos (November 10). By holding off, Kansas City is betting on a quicker resolution, potentially allowing the left tackle to rejoin the lineup as early as the Monday Night Football showdown in D.C. This move also means the Chiefs will enter Sunday’s game against the Raiders shorthanded, with veteran Jaylon Moore slated to make his second consecutive start at left tackle.
The leak emerged from OutKick’s Bobby Burack, who had forecasted the decision as a potential “first real message” from the franchise. In a post on X early Sunday, Burack updated: “Update: the Chiefs did not place Josh Simmons on the NFI list today. Obviously, this is a fluid situation and things can change. But if the team expected him to miss an extended period of time, it would have likely made the move today. As of this post, that’s a good sign.”
Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star echoed the sentiment in his pre-game analysis, noting that the team’s reluctance to pull the NFI trigger suggests confidence in Simmons’ imminent return. “If it will be an extended absence for Simmons, Veach could consider placing him on the league’s NFI list,” Sweeney wrote Friday. “The move would open up a roster spot… But as of now, they’re playing the short-handed card for at least one more week.”
Simmons’ sudden departure came on the heels of a stellar rookie campaign where he quickly supplanted Moore—signed to a lucrative two-year, $30 million deal in the offseason—as the starting left tackle. The Ohio State product had anchored the line through the first five games, surrendering just two sacks and earning praise for his pass protection in high-stakes outings. His late scratch against the Detroit Lions last Sunday forced Moore into action, where the fifth-year pro held his own against Aidan Hutchinson, allowing no pressures on 13 pass-rush attempts per NFL Next Gen Stats.
With the Raiders’ ferocious pass rush led by Maxx Crosby looming, Moore will once again be tested. Kansas City could elevate practice squad tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick or pursue a free-agent addition if the absence drags on, but Veach’s inaction on NFI points to internal hope that reinforcements won’t be needed long-term.
Reid, speaking briefly after Saturday’s walk-through, reiterated his support for Simmons without delving into timelines. “Josh is family here, and we’re handling this the right way,” Reid said. “Brett’s got it under control, and we’re focused on getting after the Raiders tomorrow.”
As the clock ticks down to kickoff—set for 4:25 p.m. ET—the Chiefs (5-1) carry a three-game win streak into a matchup against a 3-3 Raiders squad hungry for an AFC West statement. A victory would solidify Kansas City’s stranglehold on the division, but the lingering question mark at left tackle adds intrigue. For now, the “verdict” leak offers a sliver of relief: Simmons’ saga may be nearing its end, not its extension.
Chiefs Kingdom, stay tuned—updates on Simmons could drop as early as post-game if he travels with the team to Washington next week. In the meantime, Arrowhead’s faithful will rally behind Moore and the O-line, proving once again that in Kansas City, adversity only fuels the dynasty.