That should be a whole lot easier now that the 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman is back with the team.
Simmons said he had access to gyms and a training area while he was away, dealing with what Chiefs coach Andy Reid would only describe as a “family matter.” Simmons also had his playbook and said he was able to watch his teammates play on television.
They are just 5-5 through the first 10 games and have a crucial game against AFC South-leading Indianapolis on Sunday.
“The team and I were very transparent, especially at the end,” said Simmons, adding that he will be with the Chiefs through the rest of the season, however long it may last. “I’ve got some teammates that were always checking on me. They obviously had games, but when you have teammates like that, I was itching to get back and fight for them.”
Simmons drew a tough task in his first game back. Not only is Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto third in the NFL in sacks, the Broncos lead the league in total sacks by a wide margin; they ultimately dragged Mahomes down three times last Sunday.
“Going against that was a fair welcome back,” Simmons said, “but with the teammates I had throughout the week, they helped me.”
In other news Wednesday, left guard Kingsley Suamataia remained in the concussion protocol and did not practice, and wide receiver Xavier Worthy was on the field but did not appear to be participating after Reid said he had tweaked an ankle injury.
Running back Isiah Pacheco was back at practice with a brace on his right knee. He has missed the past two games.