The Kansas City Chiefs have been without their starting left tackle since their Week 6 game against the Detroit Lions.

Josh Simmons – a 2025 first-round pick out of Ohio State – was a late scratch ahead of the contest after being downgraded to “questionable” on the team’s injury report just hours before the game.

Kansas City listed the 22-year-old’s problem as “Not Injury Related – Personal” on their availability report. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport later reported Simmons was “dealing with a family matter back home in California.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid was guarded about Simmons’ absence and still hasn’t provided a timeline for his return. However, the veteran coach has started to provide NFL fans with more information about what’s going on with Simmons even as he remains out of the lineup.

Here’s what to know about Simmons’ absence and when he could return to action.

Is Josh Simmons playing Week 8?

Simmons is not playing in Week 8. The 22-year-old was ruled out for the Chiefs’ “Monday Night Football” game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, Oct. 25 after being listed as a non-participant at each of Kansas City’s practice sessions for the week.

Simmons has not played for the Chiefs since their Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He practiced ahead of the team’s Week 6 game against the Lions but did not play in the game after being a last-minute scratch.

Josh Simmons status update

Chiefs coach Andy Reid made it clear Simmons is dealing with a family matter at a media availability on Oct. 23.

“My update for you with Josh would just be, there’s communication,” Reid told reporters. “I’m not going to get into all of it. Everything’s positive. It’s not a negative situation. He’s taking care of family.”

Reid had previously been tight-lipped about Simmons’ absence from the team.

“As far as Josh Simmons’ situation goes, I’m not going to comment on it today,” Reid told reporters in a news conference following the team’s Week 6 win over the Lions. “[General manager Brett] Veach is handling everything there. And we’ll leave it at that.”

Reid was asked during that media availability whether he had a timeline for Simmons’ return. He shook his head no.

When will Josh Simmons return?

Reid was also asked whether he had a return date in mind for Simmons ahead of Week 8. He did not provide one.

“He’s just taking care of business,” Reid said. “That’s the main thing right here. When you deal with this, that’s what you do. He’s been very good about communicating.”

However, ESPN’s Nate Taylor reported on Oct. 24 the rookie offensive tackle “is expected to rejoin the team in a few weeks.” Taylor noted a logical target for Simmons’ return could be in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, the first game following the Chiefs’ bye.

Until Simmons is back, the Chiefs will rely on fifth-year veteran Jaylon Moore – who signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the team in free agency – to continue starting at left tackle.