When Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs filed their final Week 6 injury designations for the Sunday Night Football showdown on October 12, 2025, the roster news read like a roller‑coaster for both clubs.
On the Lions’ side, two of the most talked‑about names in the secondary – Kerby Joseph, safety, battling a lingering knee issue, and Brian Branch, safety nursing an ankle sprain – were listed as questionable on the initial report but ended up active for kickoff. Across the field, the Chiefs’ rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was added late to the injury list for a personal matter and ruled out just two hours before the first snap.
The game itself was part of Week 6 Sunday Night FootballFord Field, pitting a 4‑1 Lions squad that leads the league with a 34.8‑point‑per‑game offense against a 2‑3 Chiefs team still finding its rhythm after a 31‑28 loss to Jacksonville.
Why the injury chatter matters
Both franchises entered the primetime matchup with a host of moving parts. For Detroit, the secondary was stretched thin: besides Joseph and Branch, the Lions had already ruled out rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, a 2024 first‑round pick nursing a shoulder strain that was originally feared to be season‑ending. While a second medical opinion suggested a quicker recovery, Arnold remained unavailable for Week 6, leaving the Lions to rely heavily on veteran D.J. Reed (still on IR) and Amik Robertson.
Meanwhile, Kansas City’s offensive line took a hit with Simmons’ sudden absence. The left tackle had started every snap through the first five weeks, logging 314 offensive snaps (roughly 95% of the team’s total) and 25 special‑teams plays. Losing a first‑round pick just before kickoff forced head coach Andy Reid to reshuffle the protection scheme, potentially exposing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to new pressure points against one of the NFL’s most potent attacks. “Brad (Holmes) has a plan for every scenario,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday. “We’ll be ready no matter who’s on the field.” Chiefs offensive line coach Chris Kreider offered a quick assessment: “Losing Josh last minute is a bummer, but we have depth. We’ll shift extra protection to the left and keep the quarterback comfortable.” Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes gave a nod to Detroit’s defense: “Kelce and I love a challenge. Their secondary is playing hard, and Kelvin (Sheppard) puts his guys in spots where they can make plays.” With Joseph and Branch back, the Lions gain two fresh tacklers in the box, potentially improving their run‑stop rate, which had dipped to 3.8 yards per carry in the past two games. Their presence also lets defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard keep more complex zone concepts on the field, something the Chiefs struggled to read during their loss to Jacksonville. For Kansas City, the loss of Simmons means extra blitzes from the defensive line could reach the quarterback faster. The Chiefs will likely hand the right side of the line to veteran Joe Thuney, who has seven years of experience protecting elite passers. Expect a heavier focus on quick‑release routes for Mahomes, with JuJu Smith‑Schuster and Hollywood Brown running shorter patterns to neutralize any interior pressure.
If Detroit’s offense continues its 34.8‑point average while the secondary stays healthy enough to force turnovers, the Lions could leapfrog the Chiefs for the top seed in the NFC by season’s end. Conversely, a Chiefs victory despite the offensive‑line setback would signal that Kansas City’s depth and schematic flexibility can survive early‑season turbulence, a trait that could prove vital in a tight AFC race.
Both teams also have playoff positioning on the line. A win for the Lions moves them to 5‑1, putting a sizable buffer before the final stretch. The Chiefs, by dropping to 2‑4, risk slipping out of the top‑four wild‑card spots if they falter again. Detroit travels to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants in Week 7, a matchup that will test whether the Lions’ defense can hold up after the physical toll of Week 6. Kansas City heads back to Arrowhead for a Thursday night showdown against the Buffalo Bills, where the offensive line will be under the microscope once more. In the coming weeks, both front offices are expected to monitor the health of their secondary and line players closely. The Lions’ medical staff has already hinted at a possible accelerated rehab plan for Terrion Arnold, while the Chiefs may consider bringing up a practice‑squad tackle if Simmons’ family situation extends beyond the season. Simmons was the starting left tackle for the first five games, protecting Mahomes on his blind side. His sudden absence forces the Chiefs to shift extra protection to the left, likely using veteran Joe Thuney and adding a tight‑end block. The change could increase pressure on Mahomes, prompting quicker releases and more short‑route concepts. Both players cleared their immediate injuries—Joseph’s knee and Branch’s ankle—after a light practice stint. The Lions’ medical team expects a brief recovery window, but lingering stiffness could limit snap counts later in the year, especially against run‑heavy opponents. Arnold’s injury was initially thought to be season‑ending, but a second opinion lowered the projected recovery time to a few weeks. Until he returns, the Lions must rely on Amik Robertson and the backup corner Khalil Dorsey, which may reduce their effectiveness against elite passing attacks. A Lions win would push them to 5‑1, solidifying a top‑seed path in the NFC. A Chiefs victory, however, would keep them within striking distance of a wild‑card spot but would also highlight their vulnerability to injuries, potentially affecting their seeding later. The Lions travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants in Week 7 on October 19, while the Chiefs host the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, October 23, at Arrowhead Stadium.Detailed injury round‑up
Quotes from the sidelines
How the roster changes could shape the game
Broader implications for the season
What’s next after Sunday night?
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the loss of Josh Simmons affect the Chiefs' offensive line?
Will Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch be fully healthy for the rest of the season?
What does Terrion Arnold’s shoulder injury mean for Detroit’s secondary?
How could this game impact the NFL playoff picture?
When is the next matchup for each team after Week 6?
