When the Kansas City Chiefs were getting ready to play the Detroit Lions in Week 6 of the 2025 season, the vibes at Arrowhead were already a bit off. Then the news dropped: Josh Simmons was out. This wasn't a standard "pulled a hamstring in warmups" situation. The rookie left tackle, the guy tasked with keeping Patrick Mahomes upright, had vanished from the roster just hours before kickoff. Fans were baffled, and honestly, the initial silence from the front office only made the rumor mill spin faster.
The phrase Josh Simmons family emergency started trending almost instantly. It wasn't just a local story; it was a massive headache for fantasy owners and a genuine worry for anyone who follows the Buckeyes or the Chiefs. You don't see a first-round pick fly across the country on game day for something minor.
The Chaos Before Kickoff
Usually, if a player is going to miss a game for personal reasons, there's a whisper about it on Friday or Saturday. Not this time. Simmons was listed as questionable with an "illness" late Sunday afternoon. Then, just 90 minutes before the lights went up, he was downgraded to inactive.
Reports quickly filtered out that he had boarded a plane back to California. NFL insiders like Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo were the first to specify it was a "family matter," but the Chiefs stayed tight-lipped. Head coach Andy Reid, known for his "next man up" mantra, didn't offer much in the post-game presser. He just confirmed Simmons was taking care of things at home.
The timing was brutal. The Lions’ pass rush, led by a relentless Aidan Hutchinson, was coming to town. Without Simmons, the Chiefs had to shuffle the line, moving backups like Jaylon Moore into the fire. It felt like a crisis on two fronts: a missing star and a vulnerable quarterback.
🔗 Read more: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
Why the Absence Lasted So Long
Most personal leaves in the NFL last a few days. Maybe a week if it’s something heavy. Simmons was gone for nearly a month. He missed four games.
During those 22 days, the internet did what the internet does. People were speculating about everything from mental health struggles to bizarre legal theories. Some even wondered if he was quitting football entirely. It got pretty dark on social media, especially when Simmons deactivated his Instagram account the same day he left Kansas City.
But here is what we actually know:
- The Location: He was in San Diego, his hometown.
- The Nature: SiriusXM radio later reported it was a medical emergency involving a "close relative."
- The Support: Patrick Mahomes publicly stated he was praying for Josh, and the team kept a locker open for him.
Andy Reid eventually had to settle the nerves. He told reporters, "Everything’s positive. It’s not a negative situation. He’s taking care of family." It was a weird way to phrase it, but it signaled that Simmons hadn't done anything wrong. He was just being a human being.
💡 You might also like: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
The Polynesian Connection
To understand why Simmons dropped everything, you have to look at his roots. He’s been vocal about his heritage before. "Family is the biggest thing Polynesians lean on," he once said. His mother, Ana Maafala, and his extended family have deep ties to the game—his uncle is former NFL fullback Chris Fuamatu-Maʻafala. In that culture, when the family calls, you go. Period.
Returning to the Trenches
Simmons finally walked back into the Chiefs’ facility in early November. He looked the same, but you could tell he had been through the ringer. He told the media he’d been staying in shape at local gyms in California and watching the games on TV, itching to get back.
His first game back was a "welcome home" gift from the schedule-makers: a date with the Denver Broncos. Facing Nik Bonitto and a Denver defense that leads the league in sacks isn't exactly a "tune-up" game. Simmons held his own, though the rust was visible.
A Season Defined by Resilience
The Josh Simmons family emergency was only the first half of a rollercoaster rookie year. Just as he was getting back into his groove, disaster struck again during the Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys. Simmons suffered a fractured and dislocated wrist.
📖 Related: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Surgery followed, and he was placed on Injured Reserve (IR) in early December. It’s been a year of "what ifs." If he hadn't missed those four games, would the O-line have better chemistry? If he hadn't hurt his wrist, would the Chiefs be sitting at more than 6-6?
What This Means for the Future
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Simmons is still the future at left tackle. His talent is undeniable. At Ohio State, he had the lowest pressure rate in the country. In the NFL, he’s shown flashes of being a legitimate blindside anchor.
However, the "Invisable Man" comments from frustrated fans on forums show there’s a bit of a PR hurdle to clear. People can be cold when it comes to their sports teams. But the Chiefs organization has shown they value the person over the player. That kind of loyalty usually pays off in the locker room.
If you're following the Simmons saga, here is how to look at the situation:
- Privacy is Priority: Don't expect a detailed "tell-all" about the emergency. Simmons and Reid have both made it clear that the specifics stay in-house.
- Injury Recovery: The wrist is the main focus now. He’s eligible to return for Week 18, but the team might hold him until the playoffs (if they make it) or the 2026 preseason to ensure he's 100%.
- Roster Security: Despite the time missed, the Chiefs haven't looked for a replacement. Jaylon Moore is a solid backup, but he’s not the long-term answer. Simmons is.
Honestly, the kid has had a rougher start to his pro career than almost anyone else in his draft class. Between a mystery family crisis and a surgical injury, he’s spent more time in hospitals and airplanes than on the grass at Arrowhead. But if he can stay healthy in 2026, the Josh Simmons family emergency will just be a footnote in what looks to be a very long career.
If you're tracking his comeback, keep an eye on the official Chiefs' injury reports as the 2026 training camp approaches. His progress with the training staff will be the biggest indicator of whether he can reclaim that elite status he held before the season went sideways.