Josh Simmons Thanks Chiefs, Fans For Support After Absence for Personal Issue

Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons thanked the organization, the city and fans for having his back while he stepped away from the team for four games for personal reasons due to a family matter.

"First off, I want to thank the entire Kansas City—and this club for having my six (back) during the time I was away from the team," Simmons said. "It showed how much love this team and city had for me, and I can't wait to give it back to them."

Simmons told reporters he wanted to keep the reasoning for his absence private.

"I want to keep that in house, with all due respect," Simmons said, per Gabe Swartz of KCTV5. "That's just something I want to keep inside."

Simmons, a former Ohio State star, went 32nd overall in the 2025 NFL draft. He started the first five games of his rookie season for the Chiefs before stepping away from the team. He missed four contests before returning for the team's road matchup at the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

That was a tough matchup against a 9-2 Broncos team leading the NFL with 49 sacks, but head coach Andy Reid thought Simmons held his own.

"For being away for a few weeks there I thought he did a nice job," Reid said, per Swartz. "Gotta clean up a couple things with the penalties, but his effort and attitude and energy was great and he was able to keep everything focused and back to the football part of it.

"He had to take care of business and he took care of it and that's where he's at."

Simmons also told reporters that he will "absolutely" remain with the team for the remainder of the season. It's crunch time for the 5-5 Chiefs now as they find themselves in the unusual spot of fighting for the playoffs as opposed to dominating the AFC West, which is being run by Denver this year.

It doesn't get easier for Kansas City as the three-time defending AFC champions now host the 9-2 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.