[Marcellus]

Josh Simmons, an Ohio State left tackle, suffered a season-ending knee injury during a game against Oregon on October 12, 2024. Initially speculated to be an ACL tear, it was later confirmed as a torn patellar tendon. The non-contact injury occurred while pass-blocking, causing his knee to buckle, and he was carted off the field. Ohio State coach Ryan Day confirmed on October 22, 2024, that Simmons would miss the rest of the 2024 season. Simmons underwent surgery performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, as he prioritized rapid recovery for the 2025 NFL Draft over staying with the team.

Simmons has been reported to be “way ahead of schedule” in his rehabilitation, with positive medical reviews at the NFL Scouting Combine in March 2025. He performed a brief workout at Ohio State’s pro day and stated he expected to be cleared for a mid-April pro day. NFL insider Ian Rapoport noted that Simmons is anticipated to be ready for the start of the 2025 NFL season, with teams expressing confidence in his long-term availability. However, recovery from a patellar tendon rupture is considered challenging, with some medical opinions, like that of Dr. Jesse Morse, suggesting he may not return to his pre-injury performance level due to the injury’s demands on knee stability.
Despite the injury, Simmons’ draft stock remained strong due to his elite performance prior to the injury. In 2024, he allowed no sacks and just one pressure in 158 pass-blocking snaps over six games, earning midseason second-team All-American honors. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him 32nd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, citing confidence in his recovery. Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder and coach Andy Reid emphasized that Simmons’ surgery was successful, and he was progressing well, with expectations of being ready for training camp in July 2025. However, some teams expressed concerns about his maturity and the injury’s long-term impact, and estimates for his return to full play range from training camp to potentially November 2025.

Guess it all depends on what you want to believe. Time will tell.