Chiefs Place Josh Simmons on Injured Reserve

The Kansas City Chiefs placed offensive tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve after his rehabilitation for a bulging disc in his lower back plateaued, the team’s medical chief said Wednesday. Simmons will miss at least four games, and his return to play has no confirmed date. Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs’ vice president of sports medicine and performance, said Simmons had made enough progress to practice on a limited basis the previous week but had not reached the final stages needed to return to competition. The decision followed a discussion involving Simmons, his family and representatives, head coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach and Burkholder, he said. Burkholder said imaging confirmed a bulging herniated disc in Simmons’ lumbar spine. He said surgery was not recommended and that Simmons would continue rehabilitation, with the goal of regaining full function. The medical account of the diagnosis and treatment plan came from the team; no independent assessment was reported. Simmons first reported discomfort on August 17, according to Burkholder. The team initially evaluated him for a lower-leg or knee issue before an MRI identified the back injury. A repeat MRI...