KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a four-week mysterious absence that raised questions across Chiefs Kingdom, rookie offensive lineman Josh Simmons has officially returned to the team facility — and Andy Reid’s latest comments are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about storylines in the NFL.

Simmons, the Chiefs’ 2025 first-round pick, had been away from the team since late September. Throughout that stretch, Kansas City remained unusually quiet, offering almost no details other than that Simmons was “handling a family matter.”
No injury designation.
No suspension.
No additional explanation.

Late in October, Reid finally addressed the situation, delivering a brief but meaningful update:

“Everything’s positive. Nothing negative. Josh has been communicating and he’s taking care of family.”

The comment didn’t eliminate speculation — it amplified it.

This week, however, Chiefs fans noticed something important:
Simmons’ name was not listed on the team’s final injury report.

A strong indication that the rookie may be ready to suit up again.

Reid said Friday he planned to “check in with Josh and talk with offensive line coach Andy Heck before saying anything definitive” about the possibility of Simmons playing in Denver this week.

For Chiefs Kingdom, seeing No. 71 walk back into the building was enough to reignite optimism. Simmons was drafted to be a long-term foundational piece on the offensive line, and his potential return comes at a crucial point in Kansas City’s schedule.

While the exact reason behind his four-week absence remains unclear, one thing has become increasingly evident:

Josh Simmons is back — and he’s not returning just to stand on the sidelines.