Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 9, 2025.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been without starting left tackle Josh Simmons for the last four games while he dealt with a personal matter.

Simmons was originally a late scratch ahead of the Chiefs' Week 6 game against the Detroit Lions. The 2025 first-round pick from Ohio State was downgraded to "questionable" on the team's injury report just hours before the game.

At the time, Kansas City listed the 22-year-old's problem as "Not Injury Related – Personal" on their availability report. Meanwhile, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported Simmons was "dealing with a family matter back home in California."

Nearly a month later, Simmons may be nearing his return to the Chiefs lineup, which would be a welcome addition for Kansas City after it struggled to consistently protect Patrick Mahomes during the team's Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Here's what to know about Simmons' potential return and what to know about his absence from the team.

When will Josh Simmons return?

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Simmons has returned to the Chiefs "after dealing with a family issue." The first-round rookie is set to use Kansas City's Week 10 bye as a "time of re-acclimation" as he looks to return to the field.

It isn't yet clear whether Simmons will be available to return to the Chiefs lineup in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos. The 22-year-old was not known to be dealing with an injury during his absence from the team.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid had originally been mum when asked whether he had a return date in mind for Simmons ahead of the team's Week 8 matchup with the Washington Commanders.

"He's just taking care of business," Reid said about Simmons. "That's the main thing right here. When you deal with this, that's what you do. He's been very good about communicating."

That said, ESPN's Nate Taylor reported Oct. 24 the rookie offensive tackle was "expected to rejoin the team in a few weeks." Taylor noted a logical target for Simmons' return would be the team's Week 11 game against the Broncos.

As such, it appears Simmons may be on track to return to the Chiefs for their next contest.

Why is Josh Simmons out?

The Chiefs were originally tight-lipped about Simmons' absence from the team, but Reid clarified Simmons was dealing with a family matter at a media availability on Oct. 23.

"My update for you with Josh would just be, there's communication," Reid told reporters. "I'm not going to get into all of it. Everything's positive. It's not a negative situation. He's taking care of family."

Chiefs owner Clark hunt echoed those sentiments when asked about Simmons during a media availability on Oct. 27.

"It’s not something I can go into, but it is a private family matter," the 60-year-old told reporters. "We’ve had good communication with him, and there’s an understanding by both parties as to where he is. We’re hopeful to have him back with the team at some time in the future."

Hunt also expressed confidence Simmons would return to the Chiefs at some point during the season.

Who is Josh Simmons' backup?

Fifth-year veteran Jaylon Moore is Simmons' backup and has started the last four games in place of the first-round rookie.

Moore, 27, signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the Chiefs in free agency. He was originally penciled in as the team's starting left tackle before Simmons was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft and won the job during the offseason.

Moore has graded as Pro Football Focus' 30th tackle out of 75 qualifiers while allowing two sacks and committing no penalties across 234 snaps played. By comparison, Simmons has graded as PFF's 43rd tackle while allowing one sack and committing three penalties across 314 snaps.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Josh Simmons return? Latest updates on Chiefs rookie's status

Reporting by Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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