Chiefs rookie keeps lengthy absence shrouded in mystery

Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey understands his team is 5-5 and sitting third in the AFC West, but he has an optimistic view with seven games left on the regular season schedule.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons spoke for the first time after stepping away from the team for 22 days and missing four games.

Simmons, 22, rejoined the team two weeks ago after he mysteriously left the team just hours before the Chiefs played the Detroit Lions in Week 6. He declined to say why he left. 

"I kind of want to keep that in-house, with all due respect," Simmons said at his press conference on Wednesday. "I know everybody wants to know, but it’s something I want to keep, you know, inside." 

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Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Josh Simmons (71) walks to the field before the start of practice during training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Aug. 12, 2025. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The rookie left tackle out of Ohio State opened his press conference by thanking the Chiefs for having his back during his absence. 

"(It) showed how much love this team and city has for me and I can’t wait to give it back to them," Simmons said. 

Simmons’ first game back was in the Chiefs’ 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and he was welcomed back into action by lining up against one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, Nik Bonitto. The 2025 first-round pick said there was a little bit of rust after the layoff.

"A little bit, I mean (Bonitto) is an extremely gifted player, so going against that was a fair welcome back, but I think with the teammates that I had throughout that week, they helped me up and helped