Chiefs rookie Josh Simmons is attacking rehab "like hell every day"
When the Chiefs selected offensive tackle Josh Simmons to end the first round, head coach Andy Reid said Simmons should be ready for training camp.
Simmons had suffered a torn patellar tendon last October while still playing for Ohio State.
During rookie minicamp over the weekend, Simmons told reporters that he's doing everything he can to make sure he's ready by late July.
"[I] attack rehab as hard as I can — that way, when training camp does come around, I can be the most help that I can possibly be,' Simmons said, via Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com. 'There's nothing I can really do to force myself [into the lineup]. There's a lot of vets in here. My thing is just stay out the way and work hard. Be a helpful piece if I can.'
Simmons added that his rehab is not easy.
'You have to come in and attack it like hell every day,' Simmons said. 'Just really, really go hard in rehab — that's how you have to do something like this.'
He also has to get familiar with a new offensive system. While he did have now-Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly calling plays at Ohio State last year, Simmons has an entirely different philosophy to learn as a rookie.
'The playbook is not as complex as I thought it'd be, but it's different playbook than Chip Kelly, so, [I've] got to do a bit of studying,' Simmons said.
But overall the young offensive tackle is feeling 'great' about being with his new club.
'Everything you could ask for [as a] football player,' Simmons said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Priority 5-star high on Michigan football after visit
The post Priority 5-star high on Michigan football after visit appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Michigan football team has hosted some important targets so far this month, but none have been bigger than five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo. Ojo is one of the best players in the 2026 recruiting class, and Texas and Ohio State are both high on his list. However, the Wolverines are right there with them after impressing Ojo on his recent official visit. Advertisement Earning a commitment from Felix Ojo is not going to be easy, but it sounds like he is high on the Michigan football team after his trip to Ann Arbor. 'Michigan stands very high with me and my family,' Ojo said after his visit, according to a post from That is great news for Michigan fans as Ojo is one of those players that can take a recruiting class to a different level. He is one of the Wolverines' top priorities in the 2026 cycle. Ojo is a five-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the #5 overall player in the 2026 class, the #1 OT and the #2 player in the state of Texas. Ojo currently attends Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, TX. He is right in Texas' backyard, so that could give the Longhorns an edge over Michigan and Ohio State. Advertisement 'Tall offensive tackle prospect who's very young for his recruiting class with a July DOB,' Ojo's scouting report reads. 'Verified at 6-foot-6, 272 pounds post-junior season with adequate length numbers in arm (33 5/8) and wingspan (81 1/2). Owns a lean, athletic look and plays with impressive functional athleticism and movement ability. Live evaluation during 2025 Navy Army All-American Bowl revealed a consistent mean streak in pads. Stood out physically, athletically, and in field demeanor despite being among the youngest competitors in the event.' Ojo is one of the top recruits in this entire class for a reason. His game is already incredibly polished, and he is good enough to play right away in college. 'Hand placement/technique have improved from sophomore to junior year, along with ability to stand up to POA strength,' the scouting report continues. 'Gets good extension and uses length to his advantage. Still developing consistent pop; can be grabby, but looks to finish with authority. Plays upright at times and can show more frequent bend ability. Will continue to bulk given immense frame potential. Bolsters athletic profile with discus reps. Capacities for strength and power are high given excellent physical tools and relative youth. Looks like one of the top OT prospects in the 2026 class with potential to become a multi-year high-major tackle with ample pro potential.' Landing a commitment here won't be easy with the Michigan football team, but the Wolverines are in a good spot right now. It shouldn't be long before we hear an official decision from Felix Ojo. Related: Michigan football extends offer to DL coach's son Related: North Carolina, Bill Belichick land 6'4 talent from Penn State, UCLA
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
After a long Super Rugby season, a final that seemed inevitable
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — After 77 matches in the regular season and five more in the playoffs, Super Rugby has thrown up the final that seemed obvious since the tournament began. The Hamilton-based Chiefs who finished the regular season in first place will face the second-placed Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday. The Crusaders gained top-seeding when the Chiefs lost to the Blues in the first playoff round and will host the final for a record eighth time. Through the ups and downs of the season, the Chiefs and Crusaders clearly established themselves as the two best teams in Super Rugby with matching 11-3 records in the normal season. The Crusaders beat the Queensland Reds and Auckland-based Blues in the playoffs while the Chiefs lost to the Blues and beat the ACT Brumbies after advancing to the semifinals as the top-ranked quarterfinal loser. After their 21-14 win over the Blues on Saturday, the Crusaders will defend a 31-0 record in home playoffs in the final. The Chiefs will be playing in the final for the third-straight year after losing to the Crusaders in 2023 and the Blues in 2024. The Crusaders will attempt to win the title for the 13th time in full Super Rugby competitions — they won twice in regional tournaments during the COVID pandemic. The Chiefs will attempt to win for the third time, the first since 2013. Penney's redemption Last year, in their first season under head coach Rob Penney, the Crusaders won only four matches in one of their worst-ever seasons. The Crusaders' management decided to keep Penney on and this year he has led them to the final. When asked how he would celebrate the semifinal win over the Blues, Penney replied 'very quietly. The job is not done." 'I'm excited to be where we're at and just rapt we've got another week. The organization has got such a great history and to be able to be a small part of the team getting to this part is wonderful.' The Crusaders showed all the grit that has been part of their winning culture when they held out the Blues through more than 40 phases close to their goal-line in the dying minutes of Friday's match. Backrower Christian Lio-Willie finally won the turnover that ended the match in the 85th minute. 'The last few minutes was just heart and soul,' Penney said. Defense coach Matt Todd 'has done great work with the D which has been building all year. 'The boys dug deep and showed how much it means to them and how much they care about this place. And they wanted to get another week which is just such a joy.' Chiefs extend Brumbies' playoff woes After a tight first half, the Chiefs won with some comfort thanks to flyhalf Damian McKenzie who kicked six penalties and two conversions for 22 points. After leading 19-17, the Chiefs scored 18 unanswered points to close out the match. 'It was an outstanding performance from the lads,' McKenzie said. 'The Brumbies came out of the blocks fast as we knew they would and I liked the way we were really composed and stuck to our game.' McKenzie kept the ball in front of the Chiefs' forwards while the Brumbies suffered a major blow when Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio failed a head injury assessment in the 11th minute. Once again, the Brumbies fell just short of the title game after reaching the semifinals in each of the last three years. Australian teams are now 0-21 in playoff matches in New Zealand. 'There's frustration because it's the same story as last year,' Larkham said. 'We've had this story for more than two years in a row now. 'It's not a good feeling getting this far in the competition and not getting to the final.' ___ AP rugby: recommended
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
After a long Super Rugby season, a final that seemed inevitable
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — After 77 matches in the regular season and five more in the playoffs, Super Rugby has thrown up the final that seemed obvious since the tournament began. The Hamilton-based Chiefs who finished the regular season in first place will face the second-placed Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday. The Crusaders gained top-seeding when the Chiefs lost to the Blues in the first playoff round and will host the final for a record eighth time. Through the ups and downs of the season, the Chiefs and Crusaders clearly established themselves as the two best teams in Super Rugby with matching 11-3 records in the normal season. The Crusaders beat the Queensland Reds and Auckland-based Blues in the playoffs while the Chiefs lost to the Blues and beat the ACT Brumbies after advancing to the semifinals as the top-ranked quarterfinal loser. After their 21-14 win over the Blues on Saturday, the Crusaders will defend a 31-0 record in home playoffs in the final. The Chiefs will be playing in the final for the third-straight year after losing to the Crusaders in 2023 and the Blues in 2024. The Crusaders will attempt to win the title for the 13th time in full Super Rugby competitions — they won twice in regional tournaments during the COVID pandemic. The Chiefs will attempt to win for the third time, the first since 2013. Penney's redemption Last year, in their first season under head coach Rob Penney, the Crusaders won only four matches in one of their worst-ever seasons. The Crusaders' management decided to keep Penney on and this year he has led them to the final. When asked how he would celebrate the semifinal win over the Blues, Penney replied 'very quietly. The job is not done.' 'I'm excited to be where we're at and just rapt we've got another week. The organization has got such a great history and to be able to be a small part of the team getting to this part is wonderful.' The Crusaders showed all the grit that has been part of their winning culture when they held out the Blues through more than 40 phases close to their goal-line in the dying minutes of Friday's match. Backrower Christian Lio-Willie finally won the turnover that ended the match in the 85th minute. 'The last few minutes was just heart and soul,' Penney said. Defense coach Matt Todd 'has done great work with the D which has been building all year. 'The boys dug deep and showed how much it means to them and how much they care about this place. And they wanted to get another week which is just such a joy.' Chiefs extend Brumbies' playoff woes After a tight first half, the Chiefs won with some comfort thanks to flyhalf Damian McKenzie who kicked six penalties and two conversions for 22 points. After leading 19-17, the Chiefs scored 18 unanswered points to close out the match. 'It was an outstanding performance from the lads,' McKenzie said. 'The Brumbies came out of the blocks fast as we knew they would and I liked the way we were really composed and stuck to our game.' McKenzie kept the ball in front of the Chiefs' forwards while the Brumbies suffered a major blow when Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio failed a head injury assessment in the 11th minute. Once again, the Brumbies fell just short of the title game after reaching the semifinals in each of the last three years. Australian teams are now 0-21 in playoff matches in New Zealand. 'There's frustration because it's the same story as last year,' Larkham said. 'We've had this story for more than two years in a row now. 'It's not a good feeling getting this far in the competition and not getting to the final.' ___ AP rugby:
