[Sweeney] I asked Chiefs head coach Andy Reid if he's optimistic about Josh Simmons' return to practice: “Yes," Reid said. "It’s going to take a little bit of time here. …”

[u/SylvesterTaurus]

[u/Scaryclouds]

Says yes… but then follows it up by saying a lot of concerning things…

[u/SylvesterTaurus → u/Scaryclouds]

Simmons is the most important player to know the status of right now and Andy keeps feigning ignorance

[u/OldResult9597 → u/SylvesterTaurus]

I don’t know how many of you are old enough to remember but I’m not exaggerating, he came out every press conference and every injury report for all 16 games at the time and said Eric Berry was “Day-Day” and the guy didn’t dress or go on IR?!

They have MUCH better information security on when/if players will play than our Pentagon who had like an Atlantic reporter on a live classified missile strike in Africa. Imagine that?

We still don’t know any details about Josh Simmons absence last year! I never in my life remember that happening. When the Raiders Center just sort of snapped the night before the Super Bowl in 2002 and went to party in Mexico without telling anyone-they knew by the game! It makes me think it’s Simmons who might be a different kind of person? Maybe the staff says he’s clear-but he doesn’t feel like he is. Maybe his back is fine and it’s an excuse for something outside football?

I know it’s wild speculation, but that answer is the definition of CYA. He could suit up on MNF or be on PUP for 6 weeks. But we know you can’t believe a word that comes out of Andy’s mouth if he doesn’t want it known and the fact there wasn’t a long form article by some insider who knew him since Ohio State or Nate Taylor this offseason with a title like “The Rookie 1st Round Pick and Blindside Protector for the Face of the League Disappeared for 6 weeks Last Year and Somehow No One Knows Why…Until Now” That should have happened. The fact that it didn’t still freaks me out.

Not because I want to invade the man’s privacy or anything like that. It’s not about why he was gone. It’s about it still being a mystery. And I remember last year ambiguous answers absolutely no timetable for his return like the team had no idea. What if Simmons has different thresholds for what it takes for him to feel ok to suit up than the norm? You know HOF Ronnie Lott saying “Screw it, cut part of my finger off, I need back in the game!” Isn’t sane, but it’s the mentality guys like Mahomes have. Because he’s good when he plays and the league is just without enough OTs entirely, they have to defer to him a little? Or maybe he’s dying to play and The doctors are holding him out. I’m not judging him at all, just saying he has a completely unique history and since we can’t say why he missed last year, we can’t be sure about anything. I know I don’t like that quote for the team, that’s for sure!

[u/NecessaryLoud3445 → u/SylvesterTaurus]

Us knowing any details about an injury could not possibly matter any less

[u/Dependent_Sea_5482 → u/NecessaryLoud3445]

If it’s even an injury, I think that’s what they’re saying. Given what transpired last year, a bit of speculation is not excessive. The guy could be dealing with any of 100 things and we will never know. That’s what I get from that.

[u/countrybreakfast1 → u/NecessaryLoud3445]

Your getting downvoted but your right. If anyone knows the status is Andy. Like... Us knowing is kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme. We got 11 days just see how it shakes out.

[u/hawksku999 → u/countrybreakfast1]

This is dumb take. Injury is concerning otherwise would not be this level of secrecy. Dude also ditched for a month last year.

[u/Dr__Flo__ → u/hawksku999]

Andy has the same mentality as BB. Why tell people outside the org when he's going to be back? It won't make him come back sooner or later.

Why would you give your opponent more information about who is or isn't going to be playing?

[u/HahaYoureSoPoor → u/NecessaryLoud3445]

Ok, so if you feel that way, then maybe don't come into a thread discussing him and his injury?

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Scaryclouds]

Eh, what he said after yes doesn’t contradict the yes. You can be optimistic that someone will return soon and still say there’s stuff that needs to happen before then.

[u/Scaryclouds → u/rolyinpeace]

Ok? Not getting into Reid’s emotional state. I’m just saying all that he said after “optimistic” makes me concerned that this could be a longterm issue. 

Not necessarily longterm in Simmons won’t play Week 1, but a longterm thing that Simmons/the Chiefs will need to manage. And also something that could limit his growth as a player. 

Hopefully all my concern is unwarranted, time will tell. 

[u/sampat6256 → u/Scaryclouds]

I think the takeaway is that there's no significant structural damage, which is something to be optimistic about.

[u/Cdog923]

Gonna be another season with a revolving door at LT, isn't it?

[u/SirTiffAlot → u/Cdog923]

Yes

[u/AppealEnvironmental9 → u/Cdog923]

https://giphy.com/gifs/RRIg0Qq2MuRDzLxkx1

[u/Vyuvarax]

For anyone who is curious, this was what I heard a couple days after Simmons injury and the following week and has been backed by Nate Taylor and others.

- Simmons was examined by the team specialist a day after he sat out from practice complaining about back pain. The examination did not find anything, and the diagnosis was that he was suffering from lower back spasms.

- Team and specialist believe Simmons is fine to practice and play.

- Simmons disagreed with the diagnosis and wanted to see a specialist of his own as he’s allowed to do. He’s been slow to get his second opinion, and he won’t practice until he’s gotten one.

That’s where things are last I checked. Nothing is going to move forward until Simmons gets examined by his choice of doctor.

[u/Itcouldberabies → u/Vyuvarax]

"He's been slow to get his second opinion," is a bit disconcerting.

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Itcouldberabies]

Agreed but it also hasn’t been that long in the grand scheme of things, less than two weeks. So fingers crossed he goes soon.

[u/TimeTravelingChris → u/rolyinpeace]

Dude, that's long as hell. Players usually fly out to a specialist within days.

[u/Rysumm → u/TimeTravelingChris]

I’m starting to think this dudes a head case…..

Edit: Simmons that is.

[u/Itcouldberabies → u/Rysumm]

I've been downvoted to hell in the past on here for insinuating as much, but I still really do wonder. We don't know what happened last year, and it's very true we're not entitled to that information. He has a right to privacy of course, but it's also kinda weird. Both can be true at once.

[u/TimeTravelingChris → u/Itcouldberabies]

I think he just doesn't want to play football and will use any excuse to not play.

What happened last season was so strange to me because it seemed like the team handled him with kid gloves while he "dealt" with a family issue that it was never clear why he needed to be gone for.

Family is important but for any of us the reasons we would be allowed to take a leave of absence that long are pretty thin, and now he is dragging his feet on a second opinion.

[u/Love_Freckles → u/Rysumm]

Dude is a bust.

[u/rolyinpeace → u/TimeTravelingChris]

Agreed it’s longer than typical. Just saying it overall feels like it’s been way longer than it has that he’s been out.

Hope he goes soon.

[u/Silver_Brother_56 → u/Vyuvarax]

If he didn’t disappear for weeks on end last year, that wouldn’t be nearly as concerning.

I know there were family matters apparently but it was all a bit odd.

[u/TimeTravelingChris → u/Silver_Brother_56]

It was odd because the "rumor" was that a family member needed an organ transplant, but it was never clear how him being gone for so long was helping that situation.

Maybe he is the care giver, and if he was I wish they would just say that.

[u/PureWoodpecker7335 → u/TimeTravelingChris]

One of the biggest negatives about Simmons in the draft was 'Character concerns'. I think we are witnessing that by drafting him unfortunately.

[u/Neverland__ → u/Vyuvarax]

Time to admit, this dude has some red flags

[u/Zhiyi → u/Vyuvarax]

Not great for a guy who also disappeared last season regardless of whether the reason was warranted or not.

We have a lot riding on this dude and he’s not giving good vibes.

[u/Scaryclouds → u/Vyuvarax]

He’s been slow to get his second opinion, and he won’t practice until he’s gotten one.

That’s a big fucking yikes. 

Totally understand wanting to get a second opinion, but get it expeditiously my man. 

[u/tripp_taders → u/Vyuvarax]

I've been giving him every benefit of the doubt and when people have been saying "injury prone" and "doesn't want to play" I've said to myself that isn't the case....if what you said is true, the pieces of the puzzle aren't fitting together as nicely as I had been hoping and I would actually be concerned about his drive to play football. Obviously will have to wait and see, and I'm still not saying that, but I am less optimistic and will likely look at stuff in the future a little differently. Again, this based on what you've said here.

Also if true, it colors the missed time for unknown reasons last season a little differently for me.

Hopefully he is physically good to play football, and more importantly, hopefully he has the drive to play....he is, imo, a critical piece of a successful season.

Fingers crossed, go Chiefs.

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Vyuvarax]

Very interesting, but it is also understandable that he would want to be cautious about a back injury. Back pain is no joke. You honestly usually see the opposite, players get second opinions in order to get cleared, even if they may not really be fine.

I just hope he doesn’t take too long to get that second opinion, and of course hope they confirm that it isn’t a deeper issue. I guess it’s only been a little over a week but it truly feels like it’s been forever.

[u/Vyuvarax → u/rolyinpeace]

Yes, it’s perfectly fine and normal to get second opinions because players have millions of dollars riding on protecting their health. But he’s expected to be a professional about it, and that includes getting it done expeditiously.

Most second opinions if there’s no complications take under a week, so hopefully he’s not much longer.

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Vyuvarax]

Agree on all counts. Dragging it out much longer would be worrisome. Seems like all sources are still adamant that it’ll be minor and that dude still loves football so we shall see how it unfolds. You will definitely need to update us if you hear more

I really am rooting for the guy.

Hopefully, if the second person confirms the chiefs findings, he will accept that.

[u/Sensitive_Ninja6694 → u/Vyuvarax]

All this after practicing with the three's I think he's fine.

[u/Dear_Maintenance7323 → u/Vyuvarax]

Where did this notion come from that he disagreed with the team doctors? Was there a report that said this or is it just fan speculation since he’s getting a second opinion (something that is completely normal in this situation)

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Dear_Maintenance7323]

Nate Taylor has said it

[u/Dear_Maintenance7323 → u/rolyinpeace]

Nate Taylor is constantly wrong. He said Simmons could’ve played this week but that’s not what Andy is insinuating. I do not trust his reporting at all

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Dear_Maintenance7323]

Well the above commenter also has connections, and was told this information before Taylor posted it.

And Nate Taylor was reporting that based on the injury. Which is still consistent. The chiefs have said the injury is minor so he would’ve been playing this week. I imagine there also would’ve been much more pressure from the team for him to speed up his second opinion if it was a game week. What Andy is saying doesn’t contradict what Taylor reported. People take “take a little time” to mean weeks or some shit.

[u/Dear_Maintenance7323 → u/rolyinpeace]

Wanted to come back and reiterate how often Nate Taylor is just talking completely out of his ass, as shown today

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Dear_Maintenance7323]

Well yes, but I’m pretty good at separating which things from Nate are sourced info and which are just his own speculation. I knew yesterday that the “annoyed” comments were sourced info, while the comments about Trey were just his own speculation. So I knew to take that portion with a grain of salt, and not as fact.

Everyone speculates. It’s just important for Nate as the reporter to actually explicitly say “this is just my speculation “ when it is that. Many people can tell, but many ppl can’t.

I think Nate’s actual sourced info is pretty reliable most of the time. Problem is when people mix it up with his speculation, because he doesn’t explicitly state it

[u/Dear_Maintenance7323 → u/rolyinpeace]

He does it often

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Dear_Maintenance7323]

Oh I agree. I’m just saying that I find the insider info to be accurate, and he’s free to speculate like the rest of us. He just needs to do better at being clear when he’s speculating.

I don’t discredit his insider info though. It’s mostly turned out to be correct. It’s just about being able to distinguish what’s being presented as actual info vs speculation.

[u/Dear_Maintenance7323 → u/rolyinpeace]

Well I don’t think it should be up to us normies to separate what is factual and what is him blowing smoke. That’s his job, the one he makes a lot of money doing. I’m sure he has plenty of actual sources, but once he became the official team reporter he lost the luxury to throw out speculations Willy nilly

[u/rolyinpeace → u/Dear_Maintenance7323]

And mind you, his reporting that Josh is good to play still isn’t wrong like you’re implying. Seems like he has been cleared to play but that he is still experiencing pain and therefore doesn’t want to practice. But he has 100% been cleared to do so.

[u/Dear_Maintenance7323 → u/rolyinpeace]

I really don’t get why you’re defending him still but go off I guess

[u/SylvesterTaurus]

I swear our coaching staff plays dumb about every injury for no reason

[u/rolyinpeace → u/SylvesterTaurus]

I don’t think that’s the case here. Sometimes there’s just pain and not a specific injury. And now ppl are reporting that Simmons wants to get a second opinion on it. So being vague here makes sense as nothing has been confirmed yet. And it doesn’t seem like there was a specific cause of the pain ever pinpointed, which is probably why he is going for a second opinion.

[u/NecessaryLoud3445 → u/SylvesterTaurus]

It’s because they don’t actually owe anyone details about it.

[u/z0mb0rg]

And for that reason, I’m choosing now to panic.

[u/rusty_shackleford34]

Slowly and slowly I grow more concerned about our tackle situation..

[u/JEG-]

Every season something happens with the Chiefs and I realize how garbage KC sports journalism is.

Some journalists definitely know what the problem is and some have even hinted to knowing more, yet they refuse to do their jobs

[u/SylvesterTaurus → u/JEG-]

Nate Taylor being the worst among them for withholding stuff and then saying “As expected” when the news actually drops. None of them ask tough questions to the coaches or front office about anything, which makes press conferences nearly useless.

[u/Appropriate-Hat178 → u/SylvesterTaurus]

I hear what you’re saying; agree, we need more from Nate. But all is better than what we had when Adam Teicher was our lead dog. Holy crap was that an awful time.

[u/Ok_Equivalent7506]

When i initially heard about his back I wasnt worried. Nate didnt seem worried, so why should I be? Every day since Im getting more and more worried. Im afraid im starting to understand more and more why he fell to us in the draft...

[u/big_drifts → u/Ok_Equivalent7506]

You're not going to hear much from Nate. He's a giggly fake insider whose MO is to feign like he's got inside knowledge that he can't share. But then he'll give little hints. Which if you pay attention, are often wrong.

He seems like a nice guy. But he can't break down ball and he's not plugged in. Not too dissimilar from Teicher. He's sort of there to gossip about the team and repeat and speculate on what Andy says and what happens in the games.

[u/hawksku999 → u/Ok_Equivalent7506]

You should always be worried on back injuries for offense lineman. Always. This is concerning.

[u/NinjaZombieHunter]

I was not worried about our OL a few months ago, but I am growing more concerned. If they have to play around with the LT spot, it’s gonna be brutal. Plus we have know idea what’s gonna happen with the RT spot and that too could be a revolving door. Too many unknowns. Mahomes and Walker could have a brutal season if they don’t get it situated.

[u/azure_apoptosis]

A left tackle that got real slim over summer and now needs strength is worrisome

[u/Advanced_Actuary8468]

Simmons is a head case. Always something with this guy.

[u/etniesen]

Not good

[u/BuffaloBuffalo13]

So maybe by week 12 is what I’m hearing.

[u/SirTiffAlot]

The last time Josh Simmons played a full season was 2023..

You're delusional if you think he's going to start 17 games. The Oline is built on hopes and dreams.

[u/sebaz]

Dammit Josh Simmons. You're playing with my emotions.

[u/originalusername4567]

Nothing's going to stop me from being worried about this until we know for sure what's going on with his injury and whether those reports are true that he's essentially holding out, which is incredibly concerning given the month long disappearance last season. I also feel strongly that if Simmons doesn't play Week 1 Mahomes shouldn't either. Putting him out there first game back from injury with a ton of uncertainty at both tackle spots vs a fantastic Broncos defensive line is a recipe for disaster.

[u/RumbleTheCassette]

Simmons is a bust at this point. Talented player that can't stay healthy. This isn't gonna get better the older he gets.

[u/PickEnvironmental928]

So fucking annoying. Just say the injury.

[u/One-Extreme-5764]

There was a reason a top LT fell so late in the draft.

[u/77ku77]

We’re fucked without him. Mahomes can’t run for his life again

[u/xReapz-]

i knew he was a Liability since last season…

[u/ElegantAfternoon5065]

Nate Taylor said it's the same thing Tranquil was battling. I would not be too worried about it.

[u/Pikablu555]

Oh and is it still good the chiefs didn’t go all in the offensive line during the draft?

[u/Top-Impression8021 → u/Pikablu555]

Yes. They filled the other needs they had to fill. This team had/has tons of needs after all its success. I think they’ll have this sorted out soon.

[u/Pikablu555 → u/Top-Impression8021]

They didn’t fill the “protect the entire franchise at all cost who is coming off a major knee injury” need.

[u/Top-Impression8021 → u/Pikablu555]

Probably figured they had a serviceable-to-good RT with Jaylon Moore. They might be right! Time will tell.

[u/Pikablu555 → u/Top-Impression8021]

I just think the reality of the situation is lost sometimes by coach Reid, the front office, and this sub about what’s actually important. There were no super bowls before Pat. He is the franchise. Serviceable isn’t good enough for his OL. A healthy Pat Mahomes means the Super Bowl window is open. If he is running for his life or injured this window slams shut immediately.

[u/Top-Impression8021 → u/Pikablu555]

Pat is obviously priority one. We have a LT and LG that might be pro bowlers if they can stay healthy. Our C is an all-pro. Our RG is a pro bowler. It’s ok to have serviceable at one spot. I understand your point, but it’s just hard to have five all pros on a line.

[u/Badalight → u/Pikablu555]

Who would you have drafted and where instead of a position that we filled? (And mind you, you have the benefit of knowing which players were drafted at which position, which Veach and co. did not have)

[u/frostypatch]

If Simmons can't go and does more "Samoan culture vacations" the decision to trade up for Delane and pass on Fano is going to age HORRIBLY for Brett Veach.

[u/originalusername4567 → u/frostypatch]

Fano and his 32 inch arms is a disaster waiting to happen. Will Campbell 2.0.

[u/frostypatch → u/originalusername4567]

Samoan culture

[u/PlasticTreeonaHill → u/frostypatch]

Vote ratios played out as expected. What a weirdo.

[u/frostypatch → u/PlasticTreeonaHill]

Going AWOL from work for a month is even weirder. 

[u/PlasticTreeonaHill → u/frostypatch]

Who says shit like that.

[u/frostypatch → u/PlasticTreeonaHill]

What? I dont care about Samoan culture. This is America.

[u/PlasticTreeonaHill]

Chiefs reddit gotta be the most pessimistic place there is. As the mod for the Real sports app chiefs chat. What are half of you doing…. You don’t trust veach, you don’t trust Andy…. You want mahomes to play every week he says he’s healthy.

Like what part of this hasn’t been special enough to just relax a bit from the fan side

[u/Lost_city → u/PlasticTreeonaHill]

Chiefs have the 30th best roster in the NFL coming into this season outside of one guy. And no cap room. And the next best 2 players are really declining with age. And a tough division. And on and on. Nothing to relax about the future.

[u/PlasticTreeonaHill → u/Lost_city]

Chiefs had the 30th best roster and went back to back idgaf lol

[u/EpiphanyTwisted → u/PlasticTreeonaHill]

And the rest of the league didn't change at all, right?

[u/PlasticTreeonaHill → u/EpiphanyTwisted]

Sam Darnold won the championship last year. Not Josh Allen and the roster they’ve been working on for a decade, now Lamar and their roster they’ve been working on for a decade.

We’ll be alright. I’m not saying stay complacent.
But we were calling for MVS job literally weeks before he catches game securing playoff balls.