Arrowhead Pride
The rookie left tackle spoke to media members after Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp workout on Tuesday.
Following the first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons stepped up to the podium to update media members on his recovery.
Recent notes about Simmons have been encouraging, with head coach Andy Reid explaining he has been pleasantly surprised with the first-rounder’s progress recovering from the torn patellar tendon he suffered in October.
Simmons, however, isn’t surprised at all.
“This is kind of what I anticipated,” he said. “It’s what I worked toward. I got my operation done by the platinum standard, Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache, so I was already feeling good about that straight off the table. And then I have the best in the business here, and I had drive for rehab.”
After being limited in rookie minicamp and in the opening practices of voluntary OTAs, Simmons began participating in team scrimmage drills earlier this month. He continued to do so on Tuesday.
“[I’m] trying to be as available as I can right now — whether it’s two-or-three-a-day rehab sessions,” said Simmons. “I know Jaylon Moore and those guys are working their tails off, so if they ever need a breather, I want to make sure I’m right behind.”
Moore — who a healthy Simmons would compete against for the starting left tackle job should he be healthy in training camp — was once again limited on Tuesday.
Simmons acknowledged it has been tough to transition from Ohio State football to the pros, but it has been more manageable than he expected.
“It’s not that big of a jump, but it is a big jump,” he said. “Some of the hand moves are a lot more precise. Some guys know exactly where to strike you to get you off balance. Obviously, we had straight-up dudes at Ohio State in practice — like (former Buckeyes) Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau — so I know what to anticipate. But it’s still just a tick faster.”
Reid has been a guiding light, as has guest instructor Mitchell Schwartz, the former Super Bowl-winning right tackle.
“He’s been talking to me every day after practice, giving me tips,” said Simmons of Reid. “Mitchell’s out there too, and [Reid] has kind of been putting me with him. He’s been a really good support system — giving me tips and tricks on what to do on certain plays, or what Pat [Mahomes] might do that can set me up to take a different angle.”
Simmons wouldn’t commit to being 100 percent for training camp, saying he’s taking the rehab “day by day.”
“This time last year, I was anticipating going a lot harder,” he said “But everything happens for a reason. I trust the staff around me, the players around me, so I’m just doing what I can.”
