Josh Simmons' NFL future was plunged into more doubt on Thursday after the former first round pick was placed on injured reserve.

Simmons was selected by Kansas City with the 32nd overall pick of the 2025 draft. It was hoped he would become their franchise left tackle. 

But the 23-year-old has started just eight games in a difficult start to his NFL career as injuries and personal matters have kept him off the field.

He is currently dealing with a bulging disk in his lower back and will be out at least four more weeks - having already missed the first five games of the season.

Last October, Simmons was involved in a bizarre and mysterious saga after he missed Kansas City's win over the Detroit Lions. Just hours before kickoff, he was listed as 'questionable' for 'personal' reasons before being downgraded to out.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes later said he was surprised by Simmons' absence, with reports claiming coaches 'didn't know' where he was.

Head coach Andy Reid was reluctant to discuss his absence but did say Simmons was 'taking care of family'. The left tackle later said he wanted to keep precise details 'in house.'

He missed four games before eventually returning to the field in mid-November. Three games later, however, a fractured and dislocated hand landed him on IR for the remainder of the season. 

The 23-year-old showed up to training camp in late July hoping his injury issues were behind him. But on August 17, he reported feeling some discomfort in his calf, and the Chiefs' training staff determined it was stemming from his back. 

Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder obtained an MRI exam that confirmed the herniated and bulging disk, which was 'higher up than we normally see in our offensive linemen, which complicated the case.'

The Chiefs recommended a second opinion, and a back specialist in California believed that Simmons would be able to overcome the injury with rehabilitation rather than surgery. 

That is why the Chiefs had not put Simmons on injured reserve until Thursday.

'Josh worked his tail off. He worked diligently with my staff every day, and he improved to the point where he returned to practice in a limited capacity last week,' Burkholder said. 

'However we feel he plateaued in the recovery process... he's just not there yet.'

After discussing the situation with Simmons, his family and representatives, the decision was made to place him on IR.

'It was decided and agreed upon by everybody,' Burkholder said, adding that surgery still is not in the forecast.

It means undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson will continue to protect the blind side of quarterback Mahomes, starting with Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.