This upcoming Sunday night, the Chiefs face the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead. Throughout the week, Kansas City has been monitoring the status of left tackle Josh Simmons and defensive back Chamarri Conner, both of whom did not play against Denver due to injuries.
Head coach Andy Reid provided the latest injury update on Friday, which was not ideal for the Chiefs. Simmons and Conner both missed practice once more and are “most likely” to be listed as out for the clash with Indianapolis.
“As far as injuries go, still Chamarri and then Josh, most likely, they will be listed as out,” Reid said. “Delane practiced today. Chris Jones did a little bit today, too. We’ll be OK there.”
Conner has been sidelined since a knee injury sustained during training camp after a collision with wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. The fourth-year safety began the season as a starter beside newcomer Alohi Gilman, making his extended absence particularly notable.
Reid offered some encouragement, though he could not provide a timetable for Conner’s return.
“I can’t give you a timeline, but he’s getting better,” Reid said. “It’s just a matter of the swelling staying consistently out of it. He’s doing everything he can do with the trainers, but it is getting better.”
Against Denver, Kansas City relied on Jaden Hicks for every defensive snap, with Gilman playing all 51 snaps. The Chiefs may continue to lean on that duo against Indianapolis.
Conner’s return will be important for a secondary that underwent significant changes in the offseason. He led the team with 1,022 snaps last season and was poised for a major role before the knee issue interrupted his preparation.
Simmons’ absence has been longer-lasting. The 2025 first-round pick suffered a back injury late in training camp and missed the final two preseason games as well as the opener. Reid noted that Simmons is improving, but a determination on game readiness is still pending.
“He’s at that two-week mark now, so they’ll reevaluate,” Reid said. “I know he’s feeling better than he was. Was good enough to play? We’ll see.”
With Simmons unlikely to suit up, rookie free agent Kahlil Benson is expected to start at left tackle again. Benson stepped into the lineup before the opener, and his performance against Denver left the coaching staff encouraged.
The handoff to a younger offensive line will be crucial as they protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes against an Indianapolis defense eager to contest every possession.
In positive recovery news, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane returned to full participation after leaving the Denver game with a shoulder injury. Delane’s availability would provide valuable depth in the secondary, especially with Conner still out. Delane also logged his first career interception against Denver before the injury scare.
Defensive lineman Chris Jones remained a limited participant on Friday due to a calf issue but is expected to be ready to play. L’Jarius Sneed was limited on Thursday after a full practice on Wednesday; the limitation appeared to be a load management measure. Sneed played a majority of defensive snaps against Denver, finishing with eight tackles.
Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice were full participants on Friday, further stabilizing several key positions for the Chiefs.
Despite the continued absence of Simmons and Conner, Kansas City demonstrated resilience against Denver and will again be challenged by Indianapolis. Reid’s latest update indicates the team will navigate the Colts clash with two regular contributors unavailable, relying on depth and the development of a young offensive line to protect Mahomes and maintain effective performance on both sides of the ball.
