KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs left tackle Josh Simmons is continuing to rehab from back pain that flared up during training camp, likely leaving the blindside protection for Patrick Mahomes to undrafted rookie free agent Kahlil Benson, Coach Andy Reid said Tuesday.
“We’ll just see where that goes,” Reid said regarding Simmons. “But if he’s not able to go, then we’ll be in with Khalil at that spot, and we’ll roll from there.”
Simmons last practiced with the Chiefs on Aug. 17. During that workout, injuries left the club with just four healthy offensive tackles on the field, and Simmons finished the day taking snaps with the third-team unit to facilitate practice. At one point, Simmons waved off Benson, who had come on the field to relieve him. Simmons was on the sidelines the next day with the back issue.
The Chiefs initially called it a short-term issue, and Reid grouped it with other “nicks and bruises” that accumulate during camp. He also
“He has an issue there that he’s working through, and I’m not putting any time restraint on when he can come back or when he can practice and how many practices he needs and all that,” Reid said. “But I just want to make sure he’s healthy and OK to go. Other than that, we move forward. You know, so that’s what we do.”
Reid said Tuesday he has confidence in Benson, who struggled at times at left tackle during the preseason, adding, “Obviously we try to play the five best guys.”
“He’s a big kid who’s got good feet, and he’s strong, good hands,” Reid said. “He normally doesn’t make the same mistake twice, which I’ve mentioned before. That’s an important quality to have, and he’s tough. It’s just he doesn’t have a whole lot of reps under his belt. Obviously, at this level, being a rookie, he’s very willing, and if he has to step in there and play, which it looks like he probably will, we feel comfortable with that.”
A roster shakedown during the formation of the 53-player group starting the season with few options at tackle. The club waived Esa Pole, Chu Godrick and Ethan Driskell, with only Driskell returning on the practice squad. Josh Ezeudu, acquired in a trade from the New York Giants, has started games at left tackle in the NFL, but the club made the move to shore up their strength at guard. Undrafted rookie free agent tackle Diego Pounds, picked up in a deal with the Baltimore Ravens, has only practiced twice so far in a Chiefs uniform.
“He’s just kind of getting used to what we do offensively,” Reid said of Pounds. “Like what I’ve seen, I mean he looks like he has some talent there, and he’s willing to work hard. So it’s just a matter of him getting a little time under his belt.”
Reid didn’t indicate a timetable for the return of Simmons, who will continue working under the eye of Rick Burholder, the club’s vice president of sports medicine and performance.
“Josh is rehabbing, he’s working his tail off,” Reid said. “This isn’t something than anything other than him having an issue with his back, and it’s just it’s a matter of time here. But he continues to work hard with Rick and do his part there.”
Conner Likely Out, Gillman Back
Reid delivered both good and bad news for the team’s secondary, indicating that free safety Alohi Gilman worked out with the club on Tuesday while strong safety Chamarri Conner is a “stretch” to play in Week 1 against the Broncos.
Gilman was a late scratch with a sore back before the team’s second preseason game in Tampa Bay, and had not practiced since. Conner has been dealing with a knee injury.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as long expected, will start in Week 1, “unless something were to come up here in the next couple days,” Reid said.
