Former Ohio State Star Josh Simmons Receives Major Injury Update From Kansas City Chiefs That Could Impact 2025 NFL Season Plans
Josh Simmons, the former Ohio State standout and current Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle, received a major injury update this week that could significantly influence his trajectory in the NFL and the Chiefs’ plans for the 2025 season. The announcement from Kansas City’s medical team brings both clarity and concern to a situation that has lingered throughout the offseason, leaving fans and team officials on edge as the regular season inches closer.
Simmons, who was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school and made his name protecting quarterbacks in Columbus, transitioned to the NFL with the kind of raw physicality and upside that scouts dream of. After being selected by the Chiefs in the later rounds of the NFL Draft, he was quickly integrated into the team’s offensive line rotation during his rookie year. While Simmons didn’t immediately become a full-time starter, he impressed coaches with his development, footwork, and commitment to improvement during practice and limited game action.
However, his momentum came to a screeching halt when he suffered a lower-body injury during a late-season practice. At the time, the team was preparing for the playoffs, and while Simmons was not a primary starter, his depth and versatility had become critical due to injuries on the line. His absence was felt in Kansas City’s postseason run, and questions about the severity of his injury have persisted ever since.
This week, the Chiefs finally provided an in-depth update: Simmons underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his ankle and is expected to miss at least a portion of training camp. The team confirmed that rehabilitation is already underway and initial reports indicate that the procedure was successful. While this may sound like positive news, the nature of the injury and the recovery timeline cast doubt on Simmons’ ability to secure a starting job—or even a spot on the active roster—early in the 2025 season.
Kansas City’s offensive line coach Andy Heck acknowledged the significance of the injury during a press availability, stating, “Josh has all the tools we want in a tackle. He’s long, strong, and smart. But injuries are a part of this game, and this is a tough one. The good news is that the surgery went well, and he’s attacking rehab the way we hoped. We’re optimistic but realistic. He’ll have to fight his way back.”
Simmons’ recovery timeline is projected to be between four and six months, which places his return anywhere between late August and mid-October. For an NFL player looking to earn meaningful snaps in his second year, missing that much time during camp and potentially into the regular season is a significant setback. The Chiefs’ offensive line is one of the most competitive units on the roster, with a mix of proven veterans and promising young talent battling for limited roles. With Simmons sidelined, others will get reps, make impressions, and possibly move ahead of him on the depth chart.
Despite this, sources close to the team indicate that the Chiefs remain high on Simmons and believe in his long-term potential. One team source noted, “He’s one of those guys who just gets it. Even when he was injured, he was in every meeting, asking the right questions, staying connected. That’s not easy to do when you’re frustrated and watching from the sidelines. That attitude gives us hope he’ll come back stronger.”
Former Ohio State coach Ryan Day also chimed in with support for his former player. Speaking at a recent alumni event, Day said, “Josh has always been a warrior. He battled for everything he got at Ohio State and I have no doubt he’ll do the same in the NFL. Injuries are tough, but I know his work ethic, and I wouldn’t bet against him.”
Simmons’ injury also brings up larger questions about roster construction and depth for the Chiefs heading into a season in which they are once again Super Bowl contenders. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and a revamped receiving corps, protecting the franchise player is paramount. The Chiefs are unlikely to rush Simmons back given the importance of the position and the potential long-term implications of doing so. That said, if Simmons can recover ahead of schedule, he could play a valuable role down the stretch.
The injury is also a reminder of how precarious life in the NFL can be for young players, especially those drafted outside the early rounds. Simmons was not guaranteed a starting role, but he was seen as a developmental project with upside—perhaps a future starter at left or right tackle if he continued to grow. Now, he finds himself facing a season where proving his value to the team will be more difficult due to time lost during crucial developmental months.
Simmons took to social media after the injury update was released, posting a message to fans and teammates: “Setbacks are setups for comebacks. Surgery went well and I’m already grinding to get back. Appreciate the love—see y’all soon.” The post was met with an outpouring of support from current and former teammates, fans, and Buckeye alumni, many of whom echoed sentiments of faith in his resilience.
If there’s one thing Simmons has shown throughout his football journey, it’s toughness. At Ohio State, he endured fierce position battles, coaching changes, and the expectations of playing for one of the nation’s elite programs. He earned every snap, and that same grit will now be tested in the professional ranks under far more challenging circumstances.
The Chiefs will likely monitor Simmons’ recovery closely throughout the preseason. Whether he starts the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list or manages to return sooner will depend on his rehab progress and medical evaluations over the coming months. In the meantime, the team is expected to bring in additional depth along the offensive line to prepare for the possibility of Simmons missing extended time.
As Kansas City eyes another deep playoff run, every roster spot becomes precious. For Simmons, the path back will be steep, but not insurmountable. He has the benefit of having been part of the system for a full year and building rapport with teammates and coaches. That institutional knowledge, paired with a determined mindset, could be the edge he needs when he returns to the field.
Still, there’s no sugarcoating the reality of the situation. A significant injury this early in a young player’s career can derail momentum and alter career trajectories. Simmons must now prove that he can bounce back both physically and mentally, which will be no small task in the brutal, high-stakes world of professional football.
For now, all eyes will be on his rehab, his return timeline, and how he fits back into the puzzle that is Kansas City’s offensive line. If he can overcome this challenge, Simmons could still fulfill the potential that made him a valuable draft pick. If not, the harsh nature of the NFL means the Chiefs—and the league—will quickly move on. But for now, the door remains open, and the comeback story is just beginning.
The coming months will be critical not only for Simmons’ playing future, but also for how the Chiefs solidify their protection unit in front of Mahomes. It’s a team with championship aspirations and very little margin for error. While the team will do everything in its power to support Simmons’ recovery, they must also prepare for contingencies.
Ultimately, this injury update is both sobering and hopeful. Sobering because of the reality that injuries can derail even the most promising careers. Hopeful because Simmons has already shown the character and determination required to overcome adversity. The NFL is filled with stories of redemption, perseverance, and unexpected comebacks. Josh Simmons now has an opportunity to write one of his own.
