The Kansas City Chiefs might be 5–2 and sitting pretty in the AFC, but Thursday’s practice update had Chiefs Kingdom clutching its collective pearls. Three offensive starters missed practice, and yes, that includes two linemen whose entire job is to keep Patrick Mahomes upright.

Mahomes has been elite. During the Chiefs’ first seven games of the 2025-26 season, he has posted 1,800 passing yards (which is fourth in the NFL, according to ESPN research), 14 touchdowns (tied for fourth) and two interceptions, with a 77.7 QBR (third). On the flip side, he’s also been sacked 11 times, which has him tied for the fifth-fewest among starting QBs, and only four times in the past three games, according to Pro Football Stats.

Bad News for Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

The bad news is that head coach Andy Reid confirmed rookie left tackle Josh Simmons is still away for personal reasons, right guard Trey Smith is battling back spasms, and running back Kareem Hunt is nursing a bruised knee. For Mahomes, that’s basically losing his bodyguards and his security blanket.

Simmons, the Chiefs’ 2025 first-round pick, hasn’t played for multiple weeks. He’s the guy protecting Mahomes’ blind side, which is another way of saying, “please don’t let anyone destroy the franchise.” Reid kept details private but said the team is supporting Simmons while he handles a family matter.

In the meantime, 2021 fifth-rounder Jaylon Moore has filled in at left tackle. He’s solid, but let’s be honest, there’s only one Patrick Mahomes, and you’d rather have your first-rounder watching his back.

Smith’s back spasms cropped up after Kansas City’s 31–0 beatdown of the Raiders last week. Reid described it as his back “locking up,” which sounds about as fun as trying to block Maxx Crosby on one leg. Smith’s played more than 400 snaps this season, anchoring the interior line. Losing him would mean more interior pressure, and if there’s one thing Mahomes hates, it’s having defenders in his lap.

Then there’s Kareem Hunt, whose return to Kansas City was supposed to give the offense extra spark. In seven games, Hunt’s logged 205 rushing yards and three touchdowns, plus 55 yards through the air. He’s not the feature back, that’s Isaiah Pacheco, but he’s a crucial part of the check-down and short-pass game that keeps defenses guessing.

If Hunt can’t go Monday, Pacheco and reserve back Brashard Smith will see more work. That might sound fine on paper, but it changes how Mahomes reads the field. Without a reliable safety valve out of the backfield, he may have to hold the ball longer, and that’s when things get dicey.

To be clear, Mahomes has been Mahomes. Through seven games, he’s thrown for 1,800 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just two picks. His QBR sits at 77.7, third-best in the league. He’s also been sacked only 11 times all season, tied for fifth-fewest among starters. When his pocket’s clean, his completion rate sits at a crisp 66 percent. Translation: keep him upright, and Kansas City rolls.

But when your left tackle, right guard, and pass-catching back are all banged up or missing, that “clean pocket” suddenly feels less guaranteed.

Chiefs vs. Commanders

The Chiefs face the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football, and the betting line still favors Kansas City by 11.5 points, according to the research, mostly because Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels is sidelined with a hamstring injury. But even against a weakened opponent, Kansas City’s offensive depth will be tested.

Reid isn’t panicking yet. “We’ve still got a couple days,” he told reporters. “We’ll see how they feel closer to game day.” Classic Reid, calm, patient, and probably planning 12 trick plays just in case.

Still, Mahomes can only do so much magic if the walls start collapsing around him. He’s the NFL’s best escape artist, but even Houdini needs a trapdoor.

Offensive line chemistry isn’t something you can fake. Timing, communication, trust, those are built through reps, not hope. If the Chiefs are shuffling starters on short notice, it’s fair to expect a few hiccups.

This matters even more because Mahomes isn’t just chasing wins, he’s building his MVP case. Every hit, every hurried throw, every offensive hiccup could chip away at that momentum.

Then again, this is Mahomes we’re talking about, the same guy who can throw touchdowns while falling sideways or looking in the opposite direction. The Chiefs’ offense may bend, but it rarely breaks.

For fans, though, the anxiety is real. Seeing key players missing practice so close to primetime isn’t exactly the confidence boost anyone wanted.

If there’s good news, it’s that Kansas City’s defense has quietly become elite. The Chiefs are giving up just 15.7 points per game, good for second-best in the NFL. So even if the offense takes a step back, they have a cushion.

Still, this is the Patrick Mahomes show, and no one buys a ticket to see him scramble for his life. Protecting No. 15 remains the top priority, and right now, that’s the part of the lineup with the most question marks.

If the Chiefs can weather this mini storm and escape Monday night with another win, fans can exhale. But if Mahomes starts taking hits, or if the offense looks sluggish, the warning lights will start flashing.

Bottom line? It’s too early to panic, but not too early to worry. Kansas City has a Super Bowl-caliber roster, but that only matters if it stays healthy.

Football might be a team sport, but this version of the Chiefs lives and dies with Mahomes. Keep him standing, and anything’s possible. Let those cracks widen on the line, and suddenly the kingdom looks a little less mighty.

So yes, Chiefs fans, light your candles, knock on wood, do whatever superstitious thing you do. Monday night is coming fast, and all eyes will be on how well Kansas City keeps its crown jewel safe.