Josh Simmons injury reshapes Kansas City Chiefs’ outlook — AFC West roundup

There were no AFC West games on the schedule Thursday, but it was anything but quiet for the division leaders and a couple of would-be climbers behind them. The Chiefs remain perfect at 5-0, the Broncos sit at 4-2, the Raiders are at 3-3 and the Chargers are still searching for their first win at 0-6.

Chiefs lose LT Josh Simmons to IR as Super Bowl chatter grows

Kansas City took a significant hit up front, placing starting left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve because of a bulging disc in his lower back, according to ESPN and CBS Sports. CBS notes that Simmons will not be eligible to return until Week 11, ruling him out for at least the next four contests. Pro Football Rumors adds that the earliest realistic target could be a Week 10 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, though that is characterized as a best-case scenario.

Even with that setback, CBS Sports is already asking whether the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are on a collision course for a third Super Bowl meeting, after their title clashes in 2020 and 2024, and outlines which teams could derail that storyline. More immediately, the Chiefs are preparing for a Week 7 trip to Seattle. On the other sideline, the Seahawks activated running back Zach Charbonnet from the reserve/PUP list, a move Pro Football Rumors says should give Seattle’s ground game a lift against Kansas City.

Broncos linked to Sam LaPorta and Bo Nix uncertainty

The 4-2 Denver Broncos found themselves at the center of two different rumor cycles. Pro Football Rumors reports that the Broncos, along with the Carolina Panthers, are among the potential suitors being mentioned in trade speculation surrounding tight end Sam LaPorta, whose stalled contract talks with the Detroit Lions and public frustration have kicked the rumor mill into gear.

Separately, a CBS Sports Week 7 column outlining outcomes that "wouldn’t shock" the writer includes the possibility that Denver could bench rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The same piece also predicts a muted return to Seattle for running back Kenneth Walker III and checks in on other rookie quarterbacks around the league.

Chargers and Raiders: bigger-picture questions

For the winless Los Angeles Chargers, their situation is part of a broader Pro Football Rumors mailbag focused primarily on the Indianapolis Colts’ future on the sideline and in the front office, but also on several trade scenarios. That mailbag touches on quarterback situations in Las Vegas and New York, suggesting the Raiders’ current setup could be subject to change as the deadline approaches, though no specific moves are highlighted yet.

So while the AFC West enjoyed a rare quiet night on the field, injuries, trade chatter and quarterback speculation ensured the division stayed firmly in the spotlight.