Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Josh Simmons, the team’s first-round draft pick this year, has been missing from the team since October 12, when he reportedly departed the team shortly before their game against the Detroit Lions and returned to California.
On Friday, however, ESPN Chiefs insider Nate Taylor gave the first indication that there is an actual timeline for Simmons’ return to the team.
The exact reasons for Simmons absence have not been explained, presumably out of a desire by the team to maintain Simmons’ privacy. On Thursday, coach Andy Reid said that Simmons was “taking care of family.”
Sources Say Simmons Expected Back ‘In a Few Weeks’
Simmons missed practice again on Friday. While the former Ohio State standout has not, as of Friday, been ruled out of the Chiefs’ Monday night game against the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium, a recent study found that NFL players who have missed all practices in a given week have only a three percent chance of playing in that week’s game.
In other words, it would be extremely surprising if Simmons did not miss his third game in a row.
But in his Friday report on ESPN.com, Taylor wrote that his sources told him that Simmons “is expected to rejoin the team in a few weeks.”
Taylor went on to report that, “a logical time for Simmons to return to the Chiefs could be in early November during the team’s bye week.”
Unanswered Questions Remain
The Chiefs’ bye week falls in Week 9, the week after their November 2 game against their rival Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park, and their Week 11 return when they travel to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos on November 16.
Reid did not provide any new update on Simmons Friday. But in his statement Thursday he said that “thereâs been communication. Not going to get into all of it. Everything is positive. Itâs not a negative situation.”
But the 27-year veteran coach did not explain how Simmons was able to stay away from the team for more than two weeks, missing what will turn out to be at least three games, for a situation in which “everything is positive.”
Nor did Reid give any hint of a time frame for Simmons to return to the team. As of Friday, only Taylor has reported that information, but based only on a leak from “sources.”
Outlook Goes From ‘Grim’ to ‘Positive’
“Since the Chiefs defeated the Detroit Lions on October 12,” Taylor recounted, “Simmons has been away from the team, missing the last two weeks of practices with a ‘family situation.’ Simmons is not expected to be available for Monday night’s game against the Washington Commanders.”
On October 14, just days after Simmons departed the Chiefs, Taylor had reported that the rookie’s situation was “extremely serious” and that its “outcome” would be “perhaps grim.”
Now, 10 days later, it appears the outlook on whatever Simmons is dealing with has changed considerably, based on Reid’s “positive” update Thursday and Taylor’s Friday report suggesting that Simmons’ return was, if not imminent, then expected in about two weeks.
Offensive guard Trey Smith, who is dealing with back spasms, also did not practice for the Chiefs on Friday, reducing the likelihood that he will play against the Commanders Monday.
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