Indiana football undrafted rookie to start at left tackle for Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1

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No pressure here. Just protect the blind side of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is returning from an ACL tear.

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Kahlil Benson, an undrafted rookie from national champion Indiana, is set to start at left tackle in the Chiefs' opener Monday night, Sept. 14, against the Denver Broncos.

"We try to play the five best guys," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "We’re comfortable with Kahlil on either side and he’s been (practicing) the left side. He’s doing a nice job with it. If he has to be the left tackle, he’s the left tackle and we roll with it. That’s how that goes."

Expected starter Josh Simmons is doubtful with a back injury.

Here's how other Hoosiers rookies are faring entering Week 1.

Indiana football players picked in 2026 NFL Draft

  • Fernando Mendoza, No. 1 overall pick, Las Vegas Raiders: He will start his career as the QB2 behind Kirk Cousins.
  • Omar Cooper Jr., No. 30 overall pick, New York Jets: He is expected to start when the Jets visit the Tennessee Titans.
  • D'Angelo Ponds, 2nd-round pick, Jets: The cornerback missed most of training camp with a calf injury, but has returned to practice.
  • Kaelon Black, 3rd-round pick, San Francisco 49ers: He is in line to be running back Christian McCaffrey's backup.
  • Elijah Sarratt, 4th-round pick, Baltimore Ravens: He could get some work against the Indianapolis Colts, considering wide receivers Zay Flowers and Devontez Walker are questionable.
  • Riley Nowakowski, 5th-round pick, Pittsburgh Steelers: He was a tight end for IU, but is considered a fullback for Pittsburgh. A lot of blocking for Jaylen Warren and Aaron Rodgers.
  • Pat Coogan, 6th-round pick, Tennessee Titans: He's Tennessee's backup center.
  • Aiden Fisher, 7th-round pick, Houston Texans: Finding regular snaps on a defense as good as Houston's may be difficult for the linebacker. He may be a key special teams player.

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Week 1 NFL schedule 2026

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football undrafted rookie to start at left tackle for Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1

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