The Kansas City Chiefs have not said for sure if first-round left tackle Josh Simmons will start in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, and the decision to remain notably cryptic may involve some gamesmanship from head coach Andy Reid.
“Andy Reid says there is a ‘chance’ Josh Simmons will start against the Broncos,” the KC Star’s Pete Sweeney reported on November 14, two days before the Chiefs’ Week 11 matchup. “Reid said he wants to watch the film and get with OL coach Andy Heck before making a final decision.”
Not long after, KC Star colleague Sam McDowell followed up on Sweeney’s report, informing: “Andy Reid certainly wasn’t definitive, but after his presser today, left with the impression Josh Simmons will play Sunday.”
Naturally, Reid is keeping this left tackle decision close to the vest as the chess match ensues between him and Broncos counterpart Sean Payton.
Payton went the entire week without ruling out running back J.K. Dobbins, despite rumors that he could be out multiple weeks with a foot injury. Similarly, the Chiefs chose not to rule out running back Isiah Pacheco until Friday.
That’s gamesmanship at its finest between two stalwart NFL head coaches.
GettyKansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons.
The Simmons news couldn’t come at a better time for the Chiefs.
Denver flaunts a league-leading pass rush that has already accumulated a whopping 46 sacks. For reference, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks are tied for second with 32 sacks, and Kansas City only has 20 team sacks in 2025.
Needless to say, having Simmons will be crucial in keeping quarterback Patrick Mahomes upright and out of pressure.
The best way to disrupt the KC offense is by keeping Mahomes off balance with a steady pass rush. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, the Broncos have the players to accomplish this task, and that’s the exact reason general manager Brett Veach spent his 2025 first-round pick on Simmons.
Reid can say that he isn’t 100% sure Simmons is starting in Week 11, but it doesn’t make sense for Kansas City to start a lesser talent in such a crucial divisional game.
If the rookie is healthy, he’ll be in there protecting Mahomes’ blindside. McDowell drew the same conclusion, and it’d be pretty surprising if that wasn’t the case come Sunday.
It took Reid all week to admit it, but Pacheco was finally ruled out on Friday after going the entire week without participating in practice. Later this afternoon, the Broncos did the same with Dobbins.
“Broncos RB JK Dobbins will be out on Sunday vs the Chiefs with a significant foot injury and is believed to be out for the foreseeable future, per me and @TomPelissero,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on November 14.
Rapoport added that “Dobbins is still working through options, and while there’s no final determination, IR remains a possibility.”
It appears both AFC West rivals will be without their starting running backs in Week 11, but the difference is that Pacheco will be KC’s only absence. The Broncos, on the other hand, have ruled out five players, including Dobbins.
The other four “out” designations are cornerback Pat Surtain II, outside linebacker Jonah Elliss, inside linebacker Alex Singleton, and tight end Nate Adkins.
Michael Obermuller covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area
