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Standout Rookie Josh Simmons Tries to Balance Chiefs’ Progress and “Hurt”

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Posted September 17, 2025

One of the most spirited young faces at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Josh Simmons, did everything he could to balance a sense of progress with the sting of another razor-thin Kansas City Chiefs defeat.

Simmons — the rookie left tackle expected to be the long-term answer on the blindside — became a quiet anchor for a more rhythmic offensive day from the Chiefs, even if the ending was a loss that hushed Arrowhead. In a position that’s usually “invisible” to the cameras, Simmons left his mark with sturdy pass sets on two pivotal late drives, keeping the left edge clean so Patrick Mahomes could let it rip. But when the final whistle blew, the feeling that lingered was regret.

“Everybody knows it hurts. It really hurts,” Simmons  said after the game. “But we just identified the things we can do better. The season is long — it’s only two games — we have plenty of time to turn it around. We have to keep going, snap by snap.”

The slim consolation for Simmons was that he helped power two of the Chiefs’ brightest possessions of the day: one long march past midfield thanks to a firm blindside, and one all-out chase after a turnover to deny the opponent an easy six. Those moments showcased the strength, burst, and resolve of a young left tackle just crossing the threshold into the NFL.

“Pat told the huddle, ‘Just one more drive. Everybody win your rep.’ I told myself: okay, this is my job,” Simmons recalled of the nerve-tight final minutes. “I didn’t think the game was over until the very last second.”

Of course, the Chiefs didn’t lose because of a single snap. The day was a string of missed chances: a few drops, choppy play-calling rhythm, and — above all — penalties that yanked promising drives off track.

“We had explosive plays, got into the red zone, put ourselves in position to score,” Simmons said. “But false starts, holdings… mistakes like that pulled us back. You can’t win if you keep shooting yourself in the foot.”

In the locker room, Simmons reaffirmed his support for both the offensive line and the receivers — groups that absorbed heavy criticism after the 0–2 start. He believes a focused week of preparation, plus discipline from the very first snap, will quiet the noise around the team.

“I see a resilient team,” Simmons  said. “Prepare hard, keep the same mindset, lift each other up — that’s the only way. We know we can be much better. I’ll follow the vets and handle my job.”

The chance to make amends comes immediately, with Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants — another 0–2 foe that just flashed some offensive firepower. For Simmons, it’s one more night to balance progress and hurt — and if the blindside holds, hope will find its way back to Arrowhead.

 

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Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”