While much of the buzz around Chiefs camp this week has centered onXavier Worthy and his return to practice, the real takeaway might be what’s happening quietly on the offensive line.
Worthy, the electric rookie wideout with track speed, was back on the field Friday after a brief scare earlier in the week. He hit the ground hard on a deep pass attempt Tuesday and sat out Wednesday as a precaution. Though concussion concerns were floated, it turned out to be an issue with fluid in his ear that threw off his balance – not something that’s expected to linger.
“He kept saying, ‘I don’t feel like I have a concussion,'” head coach Andy Reid said. “But you’ve got to go through the protocol. We were cautious with it, and we’re always going to do that.”
Worthy showed no signs of hesitation on Friday. He drew multiple targets from Patrick Mahomes, flashed his speed on an end around, and looked like a lock to be part of the game plan early in the season.
But while Worthy’s return grabbed headlines, another player quietly took a major step forward – and it might just be the development that defines Kansas City’s season.
The Left Tackle Picture Is Coming Into Focus
Josh Simmons, the Chiefs’ first-round pick, took all the first-team reps at left tackle again on Friday. That’s not nothing. It’s a clear sign that the team sees him as more than just a long-term project – they’re betting on him now.
After missing time in college with a torn patellar tendon, Simmons has been easing into full-speed drills. But according to Reid, he’s been stacking strong days at camp and earning the trust of the coaching staff quickly. “He’s consistently showing up every day and working,” Reid said. “He’s done a nice job.”
The Chiefs haven’t had a long-term solution at left tackle since Eric Fisher. Donovan Smith filled the role last year, but the results were uneven. According to Pro Football Focus, Kansas City’s pass protection from the left side was middle of the pack – which, when you’ve got Patrick Mahomes under center, isn’t quite good enough.
By giving Simmons the reins now, the Chiefs are making it clear: they’re not just developing him for the future – they expect him to contribute right away.
NFL Network’s James Palmer reported earlier this summer that the team had quiet confidence Simmons could step in and start. So far, everything from camp supports that theory.
And if Simmons holds up? It changes everything. With a healthy Mahomes, an explosive group of receivers, and a young left tackle already in place, the Chiefs are building around their core – and doing it faster than most expected.
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