The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to adversity in the trenches, and 2025 has been yet another test of their depth at offensive tackle. As they gear up for a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the hits just keep coming-literally and figuratively.
The team has placed third-year tackle Wanya Morris on injured reserve, effectively ending his regular season. With just four games left on the schedule and IR requiring a four-game absence, Morris is sidelined unless Kansas City pulls off a late-season surge into the playoffs. While his absence this Sunday was already expected, the long-term impact of losing him for the rest of the year adds another layer of concern to an already battered offensive line.
This is not just a depth issue-it’s a durability crisis at the worst possible time. The Chiefs are now down multiple tackles, with both starters on the shelf.
Left tackle Josh Simmons is already on IR with a fractured and dislocated wrist, and he’s not expected back before Week 18 at the earliest. Over on the right side, Jawaan Taylor will miss his second straight game after suffering a triceps injury in Week 13 against Dallas.
That’s not all. Right guard Trey Smith is also out for Sunday’s game, leaving Kansas City to roll out three backup offensive linemen for the second week in a row. That’s a tough ask for any offense, let alone one that’s fighting to stay afloat in the playoff race.
In Simmons’ absence, Esa Pole steps in at left tackle. He held his own in a tough spot last week against Houston, and the Chiefs will need another strong showing from him. Jaylon Moore gets the nod at right tackle, filling in for Taylor.
But here’s where it gets dicey. With Morris now out of the picture, the Chiefs are walking a tightrope with no net.
If either Pole or Moore goes down-even for a handful of snaps-Kansas City will have to dig even deeper. That could mean turning to Chukwuebuka Godrick, who was recently elevated to the active roster, or shuffling the line by moving Kingsley Suamataia outside and inserting Hunter Nourzad at left guard.
Any way you slice it, that’s a high-wire act with serious consequences. The offensive line is already under pressure, and now it's one injury away from full-blown crisis mode.
At 6-7, the Chiefs can’t afford any missteps. The margin for error is gone, and every snap matters.
Protecting Patrick Mahomes has always been a priority, but now it’s a survival strategy. With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Kansas City’s battered offensive line will need to dig deep, stay healthy, and hold the line-literally-if they want to keep their season alive.