THE CLOCK IS TICKING: Chiefs’ Offensive Line in Crisis as Josh Simmons Heads to Injured Reserve—Can Mahomes Survive the Storm?
The Kansas City Chiefs have just received a devastating blow to their playoff hopes. With rookie left tackle Josh Simmons being placed on injured reserve due to a serious wrist injury, the Chiefs’ offensive line is facing an unexpected crisis. The absence of Simmons, who was projected to anchor the blindside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, leaves a massive void at a critical position, just as the team enters the most crucial stretch of the season.
Simmons, a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had been expected to play a key role in protecting Mahomes, who is known for his dynamic and high-risk playing style. With Mahomes’ mobility being one of his greatest assets, the importance of solid protection from the left tackle position cannot be overstated. Simmons had been showing promise early in the season and was seen as a future cornerstone of the Chiefs’ offensive line. However, his injury now forces the Chiefs to scramble for a solution in a high-stakes situation.
This news has left the Chiefs in turmoil, with the offensive line now a major point of concern. As the team prepares for upcoming games, which include high-pressure matchups with division rivals and playoff contenders, the question remains: Can they adjust quickly enough to overcome this setback? Mahomes, who has already carried the team on his back for many seasons, will now need to find a way to perform at his best without the protection he was expecting from Simmons.
The Chiefs’ coaching staff is now faced with the difficult task of filling the gap left by Simmons. Veteran backups such as Wanya Morris and Jaylon Moore will likely be called upon to step up and protect Mahomes’ blindside. However, the adjustment period for any player stepping into the starting role is never easy, especially when the team is in the midst of a playoff push. The team is also considering potential external options to bring in depth for the position, signaling just how serious this situation has become.
For Chiefs fans, the fear is real: Can Kansas City survive the storm without their rookie left tackle? With so much riding on this season, the stakes have never been higher. The team’s success will depend not only on Mahomes’ ability to make plays but also on whether the offensive line can hold up under immense pressure. The clock is ticking, and the Chiefs’ postseason aspirations hang in the balance.
Colts Get Good News on CB Sauce Gardner After Injury in Loss to Texans
For much of the 2025 campaign, it seemed like the Indianapolis Colts were set to run away with the AFC South division. After back-to-back losses to the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, though, the Colts have lost control of the top seed in the division, ceding it to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are also suddenly 8-4.
The Colts are seemingly on the verge of falling apart, and injuries certainly aren’t helping matters. The latest guy to go down with an injury was star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was acquired for a massive haul in a trade with the New York Jets earlier this season. Gardner is expected to miss time with his new injury, but the team recently received a positive update on his status.
Colts Not Expected to Place Sauce Gardner on Injured Reserve
Ahead of the trade deadline this season, the Colts sent the Jets a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick, along with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, in exchange for Gardner. After getting selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Gardner quickly established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the league.
After struggling in 2024 with the Jets, Gardner has looked more like himself this season. In 10 games played, he has 33 tackles and eight pass deflections, despite the fact that he does not get targeted all that often because of his lockdown coverage skills. With Gardner on one side and Charvarius Ward on the other side, Indy had one of the most formidable cornerback duos in the league.
A calf injury that Gardner suffered early in the team’s loss to the Texans, though, has thrown a wrench in those plans. While the injury is not as severe as the team initially feared, Gardner is going to miss a couple of weeks as he works on getting himself healthy. However, it’s not severe enough to land him on injured reserve, indicating the team believes he can be back on the field within four weeks.
“The Colts are not expected to place Sauce Gardner on Injured Reserve, per me and Tom Pelissero. A sign he can return within the four week window,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network shared in a post on X.
Colts Desperately Need to Get Back in the Win Column
GettyHead coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts.
At the time, trading for Gardner made a lot of sense for the Colts, as they appeared to be in position to go on a deep playoff run. And while that could still very well be true, if they miss the playoffs, their trade for Gardner could end up being a massive mistake. The good news is that Indianapolis still has time to get its act together, but being without its new star cornerback is only going to make things more difficult for the team moving forward.
A difficult stretch is only going to get more challenging for Indy in Week 14, as a wildly important contest with the Jaguars is coming up. The winner of this contest will take firm control of the AFC South division, while the other could risk getting swallowed up in a crowded pool of wild card contenders. Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
