Sources: Simmons told to leave Chiefs team meeting by Reid, Mahomes

Josh Simmons was told to leave a Kansas City Chiefs team meeting by head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a situation for which the second-year offensive tackle later apologized, multiple sources told NFL Network. The incident occurred last Wednesday, one day before the Chiefs placed Simmons on injured reserve because of a back injury. Simmons, a first-round draft pick in 2025 who had been inactive for Kansas City's first five games this season, was sitting with his feet up in the offense's meeting room when Reid asked him to put his feet down, according to multiple sources who witnessed the interaction. Simmons pushed back by telling Reid he had to sit that way because his back and hips were aching, according to sources. Reid then instructed Simmons to get treatment from the athletic trainers if he was indeed in pain. The exchange continued and disrupted the meeting, sources said, until Mahomes echoed Reid's sentiment for Simmons to leave the room and go get treatment. A perturbed Simmons left the room but did not leave the building. Later in the day, Simmons apologized to Reid and team leadership by saying he could have handled the situation better. Simmons missed practice Wednesday, with the Chiefs' injury report listing the reason as "back/not injury related-personal." A day later, he was placed on IR solely because of the bulging, herniated disk in his lower back. Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder told reporters Thursday the personal reason for Simmons missing practice the previous day was due to the team giving Simmons time to talk to his family and representation about the next steps in his rehab process. Simmons had been sidelined since August, when he reported discomfort in his calf. The team's athletic trainers suspected it was due to a back issue, and an MRI confirmed he had a bulging disk. Simmons sought multiple opinions, which resulted in a recommendation of rehab over surgery. He returned to practice following Kansas City's Week 5 bye after a repeat MRI showed the disk had improved. However, Simmons is still experiencing discomfort, so the Chiefs made the decision to place him on IR. He'll miss a minimum of four games, starting with Sunday night's road game against the Seattle Seahawks. The earliest Simmons can return is Week 11, when the Chiefs host the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 22. The last pick of the first round in the 2025 draft, Simmons has played in only eight of 22 games since joining the Chiefs. He missed Weeks 6 through 9 last season due to personal reasons involving his family, then dislocated and fractured his wrist against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving and missed the rest of the season after undergoing surgery. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Simmons is supremely talented and has wowed his teammates with his combination of strength and athleticism in practice and on game days. But his medical issues have been frustrating for him and the team. Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has served as Mahomes' blindside protector so far this season and is expected to remain in that role while veteran Jaylon Moore has been Kansas City's primary starting right tackle. Moore will not play against Seattle because of a concussion, so the Chiefs will start Joshua Ezeudu at right tackle on Sunday.