Kansas City Chiefs trade acquisition in line for his first start as offensive line injuries linger into first practice for Week 7 vs. Seahawks
The Kansas City Chiefs could trot out a third starting offensive line combination of the 2026 NFL season in Seattle. Wednesday’s practice offered few encouraging signs for a pair of injured tackles.
The Kansas City Chiefs may field their third starting offensive line combination of the season when they travel to Lumen Field to face the Seattle Seahawks on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 7.
Kansas City has started only two different offensive line combinations so far. The second came in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders, when Mike Caliendo started at left guard for Kingsley Suamataia. Now, after another offensive line injury in Week 6, the Chiefs will likely start a new right tackle against Seattle.
Chiefs RT Jaylon Moore remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Wednesday that starting right tackle Jaylon Moore remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Moore must clear the league’s return-to-play protocols to suit up against the Seahawks. According to Reid, he would not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
What Are the NFL’s Return-to-Play Protocols for Concussions?
Players placed in the NFL concussion protocol must complete five phases without symptoms before they can be cleared to return to play.
- Symptom-limited activity: Light stretching and stationary bike riding.
- Aerobic exercise: Increased heart rate with treadmill or bike work.
- Football-specific exercise: Non-contact drills and football movement.
- Club-based non-contact drills: Full football practice with no contact.
- Full-contact clearance: Independent neurological consultant final sign-off.
It remains to be seen whether Moore can clear those protocols ahead of the Week 7 matchup. However, sitting out of practice entirely on Wednesday isn’t a good start.
Josh Simmons’ back injury continues to linger
So who is in line to start at right tackle? Fans would hope starting left tackle Josh Simmons could return to the lineup after he practiced in a limited capacity ahead of Week 6’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. That didn’t look promising on Wednesday.
Reporters didn’t spot Simmons on the field during their brief look at team stretch and warm-ups. Reid also didn’t mention Simmons’ status when he addressed injured players. He spoke only about Moore and wide receiver Rashee Rice, who also did not practice.
Simmons did return to practice in a limited capacity last week. Still, clips captured during the brief window the team gives media members ahead of practice made it clear Simmons wasn’t 100%. He was seen grimacing while stretching, and he simply didn’t look right while jogging on the field. It very much looks like the back injury will keep him out longer.
Reid’s comments on Monday suggested the Chiefs are continuing to work through his back issue while ramping up his workload. Again, missing practice Wednesday doesn’t set him up for a likely Week 7 return.
Joshua Ezeudu is the next man up at right tackle
That leaves trade acquisition Joshua Ezeudu as the next man up at right tackle. The Chiefs acquired Ezeudu from the New York Giants during 53-man roster cuts. Ezeudu filled in for Moore on Sunday after he suffered a concussion against the Chargers. He played just 17 pass-blocking snaps in Week 6 and allowed a single hurry. He also played well in the run game.
Kansas City put him in a good spot to succeed, since he hadn’t taken starting snaps that week. With a full week of practice at right tackle and preparation as the starter, it stands to reason that he could deliver an even better performance against the Seahawks. Who knows, perhaps he outshines Jaylon Moore, who has been rather underwhelming at right tackle this season.
The 6-foot-4 and 310-pound Ezeudu played 33 games with 10 starts for the New York Giants from 2022-24. He missed the 2025 season with a calf injury. While he has mostly played left tackle and left guard in the NFL, he did play some right tackle during the 2026 NFL preseason.
The Chiefs are familiar with him as well. That’s especially true for offensive line coach Andy Heck, whose son played with Ezeudu at the University of North Carolina. Reid spoke about his confidence in Ezeudu ahead of Wednesday’s practice.
“First of all, he’s played before, and when we brought him in, we knew that,” Reid said. “And we knew he was a good player. So, now, he has an opportunity to be in there and playing. I thought he did a nice job when he was in there this past weekend. So yeah, I think everybody around him has got confidence in him, too.”
Wednesday marked only the first practice of the week, so Moore and Simmons still have time to show progress before Sunday night. For now, Ezeudu looks like the safest bet at right tackle when Kansas City visits Seattle. Backing him up is fellow trade acquisition Diego Pounds, who realistically has a shot to be active for the first time this season.
