NFL injury tracker Week 7: Latest news, fantasy implications as Lamar Jackson downgraded to ‘out,’ Saquon Barkley and Puka Nacua ‘questionable’

Patrick Mahomes will have to continue playing without his expected protector for some time to come. Heading into “Sunday Night Football’s” Week 7 road game against the Seattle Seahawks, the 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs are placing left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve, Rick Burkholder announced Thursday.

Burkholder, the team’s vice president of sports medicine and performance, provided reporters with a detailed timeline of Simmons’ bulging herniated disc in his lumbar spine, a back injury that kept the second-year pro sidelined all season.

In the process, Burkholder, now in his 14th season with the Chiefs, explained that although Simmons returned to practice in a limited capacity last week, Kansas City’s medical staff did not deem the 2025 No. 32 pick ready for the game.

“We think he’s stagnated in the rehabilitation process as he tries to reach the final stages of his recovery with returning to competition, and he’s just not there yet,” Burkholder said. “After speaking with Josh yesterday, we have given him some time to speak with his family and representatives to investigate next steps during this process.”

That’s why Simmons was listed as both “personnel” and “return” next to his name on the team’s injury report after not practicing Wednesday, Burkholder said.

Simmons had the day off to reunite with his family and his agent. Burkholder said everyone, including Simmons and head coach Andy Reid, agreed that Simmons should be put on IR “to give him more time to return to full function.”

At this point, Simmons’ back injury still does not require surgery, according to Burkholder.

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