A player's absence can throw a wrench into a team's strategy, and the Kansas City Chiefs are facing just that! With a crucial Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders looming, the Chiefs' injury report is raising some eyebrows, especially concerning the unexplained absence of a key player. Let's dive into the details and see who's in, who's out, and what it all means for Sunday's game.
Every Wednesday during the NFL season, teams release an official injury report, offering a glimpse into the health of their players leading up to the next game. This week, the (3-3) Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to host the (2-4) Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at noon, Arrowhead Time.
Here's the first official injury report of the week for both teams:
Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
|------------------|----------|---------------|-----------|----------|--------|--------|
| Brashard Smith | RB | Illness | DNP | - | - | - |
| Josh Simmons | T | Personal | DNP | - | - | - |
| Hollywood Brown | WR | Achilles | FP | - | - | - |
| Nikko Remigio | WR | Thumb | FP | - | - | - |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | Shoulder/Ankle| FP | - | - | - |
| Jawaan Taylor | T | Knee | FP | - | - | - |
| Charles Omenihu | DE | Ankle | FP | - | - | - |
Las Vegas Raiders Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Status |
|---------------|----------|-----------|-----------|----------|--------|--------|
| Dylan Laube | RB | Hamstring | DNP | - | - | - |
| Brock Bowers | TE | Knee | DNP | - | - | - |
| Jakobi Meyers | WR | Knee/Toe | DNP | - | - | - |
Key Takeaways and Points to Ponder
The Josh Simmons Mystery: The biggest headline for the Chiefs is the absence of starting left tackle Josh Simmons. But here's where it gets controversial... He also missed Sunday night's game against the Detroit Lions due to what's been described as personal reasons, and the team isn't offering any further explanation. The fact that it's classified as "personal" and not injury-related suggests it's the same issue that sidelined him in Week 6. However, the Chiefs are remaining tight-lipped. "As far as the Josh Simmons situation goes, I’m not going to comment on it today," Head Coach Andy Reid stated, adding that General Manager Brett Veach is handling the situation. He wouldn't even confirm if Simmons would be available for practice. Could this be a contract dispute? Or is it something more serious? This lack of transparency naturally leads to speculation. What do you think is going on with Simmons?
Brashard Smith's Illness: Running back Brashard Smith was also held out of practice due to illness, according to Coach Reid. Hopefully, it's nothing serious and he'll be back on the field soon.
Good News for Most Chiefs: The remaining players on the Chiefs' injury report – Hollywood Brown, Nikko Remigio, Xavier Worthy, Jawaan Taylor, and Charles Omenihu – were all full participants in practice. Barring any setbacks, they should be ready to play on Sunday.
Mahomes Off the Report!: A welcome sight for Chiefs fans – quarterback Patrick Mahomes is no longer listed on the injury report! He had been a fixture since Week 3, despite being a full participant in practice. His absence from the report is a great sign.
Raiders' Concerns: For the Raiders, three players missed Wednesday's practice.
Bowers' Lingering Knee: Star tight end Brock Bowers continues to struggle with a knee injury that has already sidelined him for two games. His absence would be a significant blow to the Raiders' offense.
Meyers' Trade Rumors: Starting wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is dealing with knee and toe issues. And this is the part most people miss... He's also been the subject of trade rumors recently. Could his absence be related to a potential trade? It's definitely something to consider.
Laube's Hamstring: Running back Dylan Laube, primarily a special teams player, injured his hamstring during the Raiders' Week 6 game against the Tennessee Titans. His absence will impact their special teams unit.
With key players potentially sidelined on both sides, this Chiefs-Raiders game is shaping up to be a battle of attrition as much as a clash of skill. But here's the real question: How much will the absence of Josh Simmons affect the Chiefs' offensive line? And can the Raiders overcome their own injury woes to pull off an upset in Arrowhead? Let us know your predictions in the comments below! Do you think the Chiefs are being upfront about the Simmons situation? Or is there more to the story? We're eager to hear your thoughts!
