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The Kansas City Chiefs head into Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks with their offensive flexibility under pressure. Josh Simmons’ move to injured reserve extends the uncertainty at left tackle, while Jaylon Moore’s concussion removes another starting option from the offensive line.
Kansas City must also play without Rashee Rice and Brashard Smith, creating a challenge that goes beyond protecting Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs need reliable blocking and alternative ways to distribute touches.
The distinction is that Simmons’ absence is not new. His IR placement instead eliminates the possibility of an immediate return, forcing Kansas City to keep building around its replacement personnel.
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Josh Simmons’ IR move extends Kansas City’s protection problem
Simmons landed on injured reserve Thursday because of a bulging disk in his lower back. He had already missed Kansas City’s first five games, and the move guarantees at least four additional games on the sideline.
Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said Simmons’ rehabilitation had “plateaued” before he reached the final stage needed for competition. Surgery was not recommended, but additional recovery time was necessary.
For the offense, that makes this a sustained adjustment rather than a temporary bridge to an imminent return. Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will continue at left tackle, while Joshua Ezeudu is expected to replace Moore on the right side against Seattle.
The concern is the combined exposure at both edges. Helping one tackle with a tight end or running back can be manageable. Providing assistance on both sides can reduce the number of receivers available downfield.
Kansas City does not necessarily need to abandon deeper throws. However, the protection plan becomes more important in determining when those opportunities are worth pursuing.
Rice’s absence complicates the offense beyond the tackle positions
Moore missed every practice this week and is out with a concussion. Rice also recorded three consecutive nonparticipation listings before being ruled out with hamstring and knee injuries.
Smith is out as well, with reporting identifying his injury as a hamstring issue. His absence further reduces the available offensive options.
Together, those losses could push Kansas City toward quicker decisions, shorter completions and a greater emphasis on avoiding obvious passing situations.
That approach carries a tradeoff. Short throws can reduce the time tackles must sustain blocks, but they still require receivers to separate promptly and create manageable gains.
Travis Kelce offers reassurance. Despite limited participation throughout the week because of an ankle injury, he carries no game designation. That is different from being questionable, although it does not establish that he feels completely unrestricted.
Cyrus Allen practiced fully all week with a knee injury and has no game designation. His availability gives Kansas City another receiving option without resolving how Rice’s opportunities will be redistributed.
The objective should be maintaining variety. Becoming predictable would make replacement tackles’ assignments harder, not easier.
Mahomes’ full participation provides stability amid the absences
Mahomes practiced fully Wednesday, Thursday and Friday despite a knee injury and carries no game designation. Guard Trey Smith followed the same participation pattern with a hip injury.
Those are encouraging developments for an offense already adjusting around multiple absences.
Defensively, L’Jarius Sneed is questionable after three limited practices with a knee injury. Chamarri Conner practiced fully throughout the week with a knee issue, while linebacker Cooper McDonald remained limited. Neither received a game designation.
The central offensive issue remains protection. Simmons’ IR move does not suddenly dismantle a functioning lineup, but it extends reliance on replacements. With Moore and Rice also unavailable, Kansas City must pair sound blocking adjustments with efficient execution rather than expect Mahomes to solve every problem himself.
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