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Following the Kansas City Chiefs' most lopsided defeat of the 2026 season, head coach Andy Reid faced questions about a reported altercation with left tackle Josh Simmons. The incident, which allegedly occurred during a team meeting, had raised eyebrows after Simmons was placed on injured reserve just days later.
According to an ESPN report, Simmons, the team's 2025 first-round pick, was asked to leave a meeting on Wednesday after a back-and-forth with Reid. The report claimed Simmons had his feet up due to back and hip pain, and when Reid suggested he seek treatment, Simmons allegedly disrupted the meeting, prompting quarterback Patrick Mahomes to also urge him to step out.
Speaking to the media after the Chiefs' 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, Reid dismissed any connection between the meeting and the IR designation. "Listen, Sam (McDowell), I've said so much on him," Reid said. "Rick (Burkholder) has talked about him, this and that. Things happen. That's no reason that he was put on IR. He's got a bad back. He's got to get that worked out, and that's the main thing. I'll leave it at that, and that's where we're at with it."
Burkholder, the team's vice president of sports medicine and performance, opened Thursday's media availability by explaining that Simmons' absence from practice on Wednesday allowed him to "get with his people" and determine the next steps for his injury. Simmons has been dealing with a bulging disc in his back since mid-August.
With the Seattle game completed, Simmons is set to miss at least the next three games against the Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that the team remains hopeful Simmons will return with the "right attitude and healthy, ready to go" for the final stretch of the season.
Reid appears to share that optimism, emphasizing that the focus remains on Simmons' back injury and his recovery, despite the awkwardness surrounding the situation.
Key Analysis
Reid's comments aim to put to rest any notion that the reported meeting incident influenced the decision to place Simmons on injured reserve. By reiterating that the move was strictly due to the back injury, Reid seeks to maintain focus on the team's performance and Simmons' rehabilitation. The Chiefs, coming off a disappointing loss, are eager to move past the distraction and concentrate on upcoming divisional matchups.