Kansas City Chiefs prepare Kahlil Benson for potential Week 1 start
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 8:30 PM
Last updated Sep 8, 2026

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed rookie offensive lineman Kahlil Benson is among the team's top five linemen as they prepare for the Week 1 opener. The shift comes with starting left tackle Josh Simmons likely unavailable due to injury. Benson, who saw preseason action at right tackle, right guard, and left tackle, previously played no collegiate snaps on the left side during his tenure at Indiana and Colorado. While the coaching staff cited his physical traits as a primary strength, the rookie faces a transition to the blindside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has not taken snaps since sustaining a knee injury last December. The team remains committed to deploying their most capable lineup while managing personnel adjustments on the offensive front.
- •Josh Simmons carries a high probability of missing the Week 1 contest.
- •Kahlil Benson played no collegiate snaps at left tackle during his four-year career.
- •Andy Reid considers Kahlil Benson one of the team's five best offensive linemen.
- •Patrick Mahomes returns to live action after recovering from a December knee injury.
- 8:30 PMYahoo Sports — The Chiefs’ offensive line will be ‘the five best guys’ in Week 1
"Kansas City’s latest injury on the offensive line could be harder to patch up than usual.
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