Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs

After a six-week absence due to a hamstring injury, safety Josh Simmons is set to return to the Kansas City Chiefs’ lineup for their critical Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders—a game that could decide the AFC West lead. For the Chiefs, Simmons’ comeback isn’t just a boost to their secondary; it’s a restoration of a key playmaker who anchors their defensive backend and provides flexibility in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. Before his injury in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, Simmons was having a career year: he’d recorded 42 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass deflections, emerging as a reliable complement to fellow safety Justin Reid. His absence left a gap the Chiefs struggled to fill, with backups Deon Bush and Bryan Cook combining to allow 3 passing touchdowns in coverage. Now, with the playoffs looming, Simmons’ return comes at the perfect time. Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs explores the impact of his comeback, how the Chiefs adjusted without him, and why his presence is critical to their Super Bowl aspirations.

Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the context of his injury and the void it left in the secondary. Simmons suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the third quarter of the Chiefs’ Week 7 win over the Broncos, after making a diving tackle to stop a potential touchdown. The injury forced him to miss the next six games—a stretch where the Chiefs went 4-2 but struggled to contain opposing passing attacks. Without Simmons’ range (he’s recorded 15 interceptions in his five-year career) and ability to cover tight ends, the Chiefs allowed opponents to complete 67% of their passes against their safety corps—up from 59% when Simmons was active. “Josh is the glue of our secondary,” Spagnuolo said during Simmons’ absence. “He can cover slot receivers, he can stop the run, and he can read quarterbacks like few other safeties in the league. When you lose a player like that, it’s not just about replacing his snaps—it’s about replacing his football IQ. That’s hard to do.” The Chiefs tried several combinations to fill the gap: Bush played more snaps at free safety, while Cook shifted to strong safety, but neither could replicate Simmons’ versatility. For Chiefs fans, the injury was a major concern—especially with games against high-powered offenses like the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills on the horizon. Now, with Simmons set to return, that concern has turned to optimism.

Another key angle of Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs is Simmons’ recovery process and his readiness to contribute immediately. From the start of his injury, Simmons approached rehab with the same discipline that defines his on-field play. He worked daily with the Chiefs’ training staff, focusing on strength exercises to rebuild his hamstring and agility drills to regain his burst. By Week 12, he was participating in limited practice reps, and by Week 13, he took full reps in team drills—signaling to coaches he was ready to play. “I never doubted I’d be back before the playoffs,” Simmons said in a Week 13 press conference. “This team has big goals, and I wanted to be a part of that. The training staff was amazing—they pushed me when I needed it, and they slowed me down when I got ahead of myself. Now, I feel 100%—maybe even better than before the injury.” Coaches echoed his confidence: Chiefs head coach Andy Reid noted that Simmons looked “sharp” in practice, and Spagnuolo confirmed he’ll start at free safety against the Raiders. For the Chiefs, Simmons’ readiness is a relief—they won’t have to ease him into the lineup or limit his snaps, a luxury that will help them hit the ground running against a Raiders offense that ranks 11th in passing yards per game.

A critical aspect of Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs is how his return strengthens the secondary’s ability to stop tight ends and slot receivers. One of Simmons’ greatest strengths is his versatility: he’s equally comfortable covering elite tight ends (like Travis Kelce’s counterparts) and quick slot receivers, a skill that’s become increasingly valuable in the modern NFL. During his absence, the Chiefs struggled against tight ends—allowing 45 receptions for 520 yards and 3 touchdowns to the position. That’s a problem the Raiders will try to exploit, as they feature tight end Darren Waller, who has 48 receptions for 550 yards this season. “Stopping Darren Waller was going to be a challenge even with Josh, but without him, it was a nightmare,” said Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. “Josh has the size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) to match up with tight ends and the speed to stay with slot receivers. He’s a Swiss Army knife back there. Having him back means we don’t have to double-team every tight end, which frees us up to pressure the quarterback.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this flexibility is a game-changer: Spagnuolo can now design more aggressive blitz packages, knowing Simmons can cover gaps in the secondary. It also means the Chiefs can return to their preferred defensive alignment—with Simmons at free safety, Reid at strong safety, and Sneed and Joshua Williams at cornerbacks—a unit that allowed just 18 points per game before Simmons’ injury.

Another important reason Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs matters is his leadership in the locker room and on the field. As a five-year veteran who joined the Chiefs in 2020, Simmons is one of the secondary’s most vocal leaders. He helps younger players like Williams and Cook read defenses, and he’s often the first to address the team during halftime if the secondary is struggling. During his absence, Reid took on more of the leadership role, but teammates noted that something was missing. “Josh has a way of calming everyone down when things get chaotic,” Cook said. “If we give up a big play, he’s the one who gathers us up and says, ‘Next play.’ That kind of leadership doesn’t show up in stats, but it’s just as important as making an interception.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this leadership is especially valuable as they enter the stretch run of the season. With playoff spots on the line, emotions can run high, and having a steady presence like Simmons helps keep the team focused. His return also boosts morale: players have noted a more positive vibe in practice this week, with many excited to have their “secondary general” back. “We’re a better team when Josh is on the field,” Reid said. “Not just because of what he does physically, but because of what he does for our team’s mindset.”

Wrapping up Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs is what his return means for the Chiefs’ playoff push and Super Bowl hopes. The Chiefs currently sit atop the AFC West with an 8-5 record, but they face a tough remaining schedule that includes games against the Raiders, Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals. To make a deep playoff run, they need a healthy and dominant defense—and Simmons is a key part of that. His ability to stabilize the secondary, cover elite playmakers, and provide leadership will be critical against teams like the Bills, who feature wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and the Bengals, who have tight end Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. For Chiefs fans, Simmons’ return is a sign that their team is peaking at the right time. “We’ve been waiting for Josh to come back since Week 7,” said Mike, a lifelong Chiefs fan from Kansas City. “He’s the kind of player who makes everyone around him better. With him back, I feel confident we can go all the way to the Super Bowl.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, Simmons’ comeback isn’t just about one player—it’s about regaining the full strength of a defense that can compete with the NFL’s best. As they prepare to face the Raiders, the Chiefs know that with Josh Simmons back in the lineup, they’re one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal. Josh Simmons Back in Lineup for the Kansas City Chiefs is more than a roster update—it’s a statement that the Chiefs are ready to fight for another championship.