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. 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 provided the first indication that there is an actual timeline for Simmons’ return to the team. The exact reasons for Simmons’ absence have not been disclosed, presumably to maintain his 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 miss 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 does not miss his third game in a row.
In his Friday report on ESPN.com, Taylor wrote that his sources told him Simmons “is expected to rejoin the team in a few weeks.” He added 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 before their Week 11 match when they travel to Denver to face the Broncos on November 16.
Coach Reid did not provide any new updates on Simmons on Friday. However, in his Thursday statement, Reid said, “There’s been communication. Not going to get into all of it. Everything is positive. It’s not a negative situation.”
Despite this, the 27-year veteran coach did not explain how Simmons was able to stay away from the team for more than two weeks—missing at least three games—for a situation described as “positive.” Nor did Reid give any concrete timeline for Simmons’ return. As of Friday, only Taylor has reported a possible return timeframe, though this is based solely on information from unnamed “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.”
Back on October 14, just days after Simmons’ departure, Taylor had reported that the rookie’s situation was “extremely serious” and its “outcome” might be “perhaps grim.” Now, 10 days later, the outlook appears to have improved considerably, based on Reid’s “positive” update on Thursday and Taylor’s Friday report suggesting Simmons’ return could be expected in about two weeks.
As the Chiefs move forward, all eyes will be on Simmons and his path back to the field. Fans and teammates alike hope for a smooth and swift return for the promising rookie offensive lineman.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/josh-summons-return-november/