The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt a significant blow ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions as left tackle Josh Simmons’ status was ruled out due to reported family matter back home in California.
As first reported by NFL Network, Simmons was doubtful to return from California in time for the Sunday Night Football matchup, which is set to kick off at 6:20 local time. He had been listed as ‘questionable,’ but the Chiefs downgraded him to ‘out’ within an hour of kickoff on Sunday.
The rookie out of Ohio State was, perhaps, the most significant offseason addition for the reigning AFC champions, who struggled to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes last season. He’d ultimately finish with a career-high 36 sacks, but has seen his sack percentage improve from 5.83 in 2024 to 3.68 this season.
Taken with the 32nd pick back in April, Simmons’ arrival also allowed Kingsley Suamataia to move inside to left guard to replace All-Pro Joe Thuney, who was dealt to Chicago in March.
Jaylon Moore, a 27-year-old veteran who has started 12 games over four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, is expected to start at left tackle against the Lions, according to NFL Network.
The Kansas City Chiefs were dealt a significant blow ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Detroit Lions as left tackle Josh Simmons’ status was put in doubt due to a fmaily matter
Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) at the line of scrimmage at MetLife Stadium
The Lions enter Sunday night on a four-game winning streak, while the Chiefs are still recovering from their collapse against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5.
In a stunning admission this week, Chiefs All-Pro Chris Jones told reporters he quit on the final play of the loss as Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence tripped not once, but twice, en route to the game-winning score.
Thinking that the play was over, the 31-year-old Jones was relegated to a spectator role as Lawrence regained his footing and dove into the end zone to seal the 31-28 win.
‘It’s a teaching point for me, a little adversity,’ Jones said Thursday. ‘I can’t think the play is over. It’s a learning lesson. I thought it was over. I thought we had him down, so I kind of stopped and was about to celebrate. Then I realized he wasn’t down.’
Promising not to let this ‘happen again,’ Jones told reporters he welcomes criticism despite recently shuttering his X and Instagram accounts.
Patrick Mahomes’ sack percentage fell from a career-worst 5.83 in 2024 to 3.68 this season
Chris Jones (circled) watches as Trevor Lawrence returns to his feet and scores a TD
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones admitted he quit on the final play against the Jags
As he said Thursday, he made that decision prior to Monday’s defeat.
‘I posted a Drake quote, ‘I’ll see you in the summer of 2026,” Jones said, referring to the Canadian pop star. ‘I never run from constructive criticism. I’ve never been that guy. I’ve always addressed it head on, actually. It’s a lot you can take from criticism. It’s like fuel, like gas, for me personally.
‘I guess people wanted to address me head-on on social media, and they [saw] it wasn’t active. They figured that I deleted it for [my performance], but it was deleted a couple days before.’
Jones also acknowledged the immense test the 2-3 Chiefs face on Sunday night football this week in Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs David Montgomery.
‘I’ve been focused on the Lions since [Monday’s] game,’ Jones said. ‘You can’t hold your head [down] on one play or one game. You learn from it, you take notes, and you keep pushing.’
This has been a difficult season for Jones, who recently lost a beloved aunt, who suffered a fatal heart attack while watching him play against the New York Giants earlier this season.
