Chiefs LT Josh Simmons elects to keep reason for his 4-game absence 'in house,' thanks Kansas City for support
Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was away from the field for the second season in a row, this time for a very different reason.
Last fall, a torn patellar tendon cut his Ohio State career short. This time around, he missed four games with the Chiefs because of an undisclosed family matter.
Hours before a Week 6 game against the Detroit Lions, Simmons flew home to San Diego, with the team citing a personal reason for his absence. He didn't return to the Chiefs' facility until Nov. 3, during Kansas City's Week 10 bye. Simmons didn't divulge what exactly he was dealing with over that 22-day span.
"I kind of want to keep that in house, all due respect," Simmons told reporters Wednesday, three days after he made his on-field return in a Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. "It's kind of just something I want to keep inside."
Simmons later noted: "Obviously, family is the biggest thing Polynesians lean on, so when you get in that, it just makes everything a lot better."
The Chiefs drafted the 22-year-old Simmons with the No. 32 overall pick in this year's draft after trading with the Philadelphia Eagles to move one spot back in the opening round.
While Simmons was coming off a season-ending injury at Ohio State, his athleticism impressed the Chiefs. He turned heads in mandatory minicamp and then earned the starting left tackle job in training camp, beating out Jaylon Moore, whom the Chiefs had signed in free agency to a two-year deal worth $30 million.
Simmons started the first five games of the season. Tasked with protecting the blind side of three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Simmons gave up just one sack, according to PFF.
Although Simmons said he was absolutely ready to play this past weekend, he was responsible for four pressures and two penalties and admitted Wednesday there was a "a little bit" of rust.
It's important to note, though, that he had to go up against Denver Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who is third in the league with 9.5 sacks this season.
"For being away for a few weeks here, I thought he did a nice job," longtime Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Simmons, via ESPN.
"He's got to clean up a couple of things with the penalties. But his effort, his attitude and everything was great. He was able to keep everything focused back to the football part of it."
The Chiefs were supportive of Simmons taking the time he needed away from football. He started his news conference Wednesday by thanking the organization as well as the Kansas City community.
"The time I was away from the team showed how much love this team and city has for me, and I can't wait to give it back to them," he said.
Simmons explained that he had access to gyms and his playbook while he was out west, so he was staying proactive in preparing his body and mind as the Chiefs continued what's been an uncharacteristically trying season following their third straight Super Bowl appearance.
He called his communication with the team "very transparent, especially at the end." Simmons said he had an itch to get back to the Chiefs and fight for his teammates, who he said were checking in on him through this process.
He was asked if he anticipates being with the team from here on out.
"Absolutely," Simmons said. "I will be here for the rest of the season with the Kansas City Chiefs."