Let’s cut through the static immediately, Chiefs Kingdom. If you saw a headline screaming that Andy Reid said there’s a “good chance” Josh Simmons misses Week 1, you were reading pure fiction. As of today, September 8, 2026, there is zero verifiable evidence that Reid ever uttered those words. We scoured live wires, team pressers, and beat reporters on the ground at Arrowhead. Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Reid held his final presser before Thursday night’s clash with the Las Vegas Raiders on September 7. He discussed real injury concerns - running back Kareem Hunt’s knee and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi’s ankle. Both are critical pieces for Kansas City’s Super Bowl repeat push. Neither is named Josh Simmons. The name didn’t come up because the player isn’t on this roster. Period.
So where did this rumor spawn? Probably a botched aggregation of college tape, a fantasy football fever dream, or someone’s burner account run amok. Let’s break down the actual facts so you don’t get burned by clickbait during championship week.
| Player | Position | Injury Status | Reid’s Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kareem Hunt | RB | Knee | "Questionable, monitoring workload" |
| Derrick Nnadi | DT | Ankle | "Day-to-day, we'll see" |
| Josh Simmons | N/A | N/A | No mention - doesn’t exist on roster |
📊 Zero mentions of "Josh Simmons" in any Reid presser or Chiefs official statement since Aug. 29, 2026 - The 53-man roster was finalized weeks ago, and this name never appeared.
Who Is Josh Simmons? (Spoiler: Not a Chief)
Here’s the full breakdown of the confusion, because we know you’re asking. There is an offensive tackle named Josh Simmons - but he’s not in Kansas City, and he’s not on any NFL roster right now. Let’s connect the dots:
- College standout: Simmons played for Ohio State and declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Draft fallout: He went undrafted in April 2026 after a disappointing pre-draft process.
- Brief NFL stint: He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as a UDFA in May but was waived on August 27 during final cuts.
- Current status: He is a free agent with zero connection to the Chiefs’ organization.
Check the official NFL transaction wire - it’s not an opinion; it’s a paper trail. The Chiefs’ 53-man roster, finalized on August 29, lists Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia, and D.J. Humphries as the tackles. No Josh Simmons. Not on the active roster. Not on the practice squad. Not on injured reserve. He’s not even a rumor worth entertaining.
| Position | Player | Experience | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT | Wanya Morris | 3rd season | 2024 starter, 16 starts |
| RT | Kingsley Suamataia | 2nd season | 2025 starter, athletic upside |
| Backup | D.J. Humphries | Vet presence | Former Pro Bowler, mentor role |
📊 Josh Simmons is not on the Chiefs' official 53-man roster, practice squad, or injured reserve as of Sept. 8, 2026 - A simple NFL transaction wire search confirms this in seconds.
The Real Week 1 Storyline for Kansas City’s Offensive Line
If you want to talk about actual concerns for Thursday’s opener against the Raiders, focus on the guys who will actually suit up in red and gold. That’s where the juice is.
The Starting Five is Set
The projected starting offensive line is locked in: LT Wanya Morris, LG Thayer Munford Jr., C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, RT Kingsley Suamataia. This group is the reason the Chiefs feel confident attacking a Raiders defense that added pieces this offseason. Morris and Suamataia are young, athletic, and have one full season of starting reps under their belts. They aren’t the flashiest unit, but they’re cohesive - and that matters more than a phantom injury report ever could.
