Andy Reid Updates on Injuries to KC Chiefs' Nick Bolton and Jerick McKinnon
The Kansas City Chiefs are busy preparing for a Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and the club is generally in a solid spot health-wise as the week continues. On Monday afternoon, a bit more clarity about the progress of two specific players was provided.
Speaking to the media in the aftermath of Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Andy Reid didn't have any new injuries to report. He did, however, touch on linebacker Nick Bolton's ongoing rehab from a wrist injury and running back Jerick McKinnon's status with his lingering groin ailment. First addressing Bolton, Reid hinted at the third-year man potentially getting back on the practice field in some capacity soon.
“I think we’ll be able to get some work from Nick," Reid said. "I mean he’s wanted to go here even before this, but you’re just trying to make sure he’s right."
This is a big development for Bolton, who has been on the injured reserve list for a month. The former second-round pick suffered a dislocated wrist in a Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, which required surgery. At the time of his surgery, it was reported that Bolton was expected to miss around six weeks. Now that the four-game requirement has passed while on IR, he's eligible to be designated to return. That would subsequently open a 21-day window for the Chiefs to ease Bolton back into the fold at practice before elevating him to the active roster again.
After a 2022 campaign that saw him record 180 tackles, Bolton has been limited to just four games played this season. He has 28 tackles and a pass broken up in those outings, playing 85% of available defensive snaps in them as well. Injuries have sapped him of his availability but luckily for Kansas City, offseason acquisition Drue Tranquill is doing a terrific job in Bolton's absence.
As far as McKinnon is concerned, Reid acknowledged that the Chiefs are taking a safe approach with their often banged-up halfback.
"McKinnon, his groin has been bothering him for a bit," Reid said. "He’s kind of pushed through it, but he was at the point where he was going to have a hard time working at the level he wants to work at there and be safe.”
Prior to missing Sunday's game, McKinnon was active for all 10 of the Chiefs' contests this season. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but didn't work on Friday, leading to him being ruled out in advance of Week 12's matchup on the road. This doesn't appear to be a major injury but with the season hitting its final stretch and McKinnon being an important piece, Kansas City isn't going to force him into action if he isn't ready. Over the course of his last four games, the 31-year-old has played a combined 88 snaps and hauled in seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.
