Three starters who help define how the Kansas City Chiefs protect and move the football did not practice Thursday, creating fresh uncertainty for Kansas City’s offense four days before “Monday Night Football” at Arrowhead.
Head coach Andy Reid confirmed rookie left tackle Josh Simmons won’t practice as he handles a personal/family matter, while right guard Trey Smith (back spasms) and running back Kareem Hunt (bone bruise, knee) were also ruled out of Thursday’s session.
Through seven games, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has posted elite production: 1,800 passing yards (fourth in the NFL), 14 touchdowns (tied for fourth), and just two interceptions, with a 77.7 QBR (third).
He’s also been sacked just 11 times (tied for the fifth-fewest among starting QBs), and only four times in the past three games, working efficiently (66.1% completion rate) when he has a clean pocket.
However, losing two starting offensive linemen and a primary check-down/pass-catching back in the same week certainly complicates things.
Simmons, the team’s 2025 first-round pick and the nominal blind-side protector for Mahomes, has been away from the team for multiple weeks.
In the meantime, 2021 fifth-round pick Jaylon Moore has filled in at left tackle. The Chiefs say they’re managing Simmons’ situation privately and haven’t provided a timeline for his return.
Smith’s absence, meanwhile, stems from back spasms that Reid described as his back “locking up” after Sunday’s 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith is a full-time starter who has logged over 400 snaps so far this year, and his availability is crucial because interior pressure and push often dictate whether a QB like Mahomes gets time to operate in both short and intermediate windows.
Then there’s Hunt, who remains a trusted part of the Chiefs’ backfield with 205 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 53 carries, along with 55 receiving yards on seven catches through the first seven games.
He’s a vital piece in the quick-throw game, and if he’s limited or out, Isaiah Pacheco and reserve back Brashard Smith will be forced to absorb more snaps and targets.
KC’s next matchup is against the Washington Commanders in primetime, a team that is also dealing with its own set of injuries, notably to quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has already been ruled out of the game due to a hamstring issue.
The Chiefs are currently 11.5-point favorites, thanks largely to Daniels’ injury, but with a 3-4 record that places them third in the NFC East, the Commanders will come in hungry for a win.
The Chiefs still have time to get healthy (two practice days remain), but the team’s ability to preserve Mahomes’ pocket will be the storyline to watch heading into Monday night.
