KC Chiefs LB Nick Bolton to Miss Wednesday’s Practice With Ankle Injury

Kansas City's starting linebacker missed Week 3's win over the Bears and still has yet to return to work with his teammates.

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football, although they're doing so without one of their top linebackers on the practice field.

According to head coach Andy Reid in his media availability, Nick Bolton will miss Wednesday's practice as he continues to work his way back from an ankle sprain suffered in Week 2's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Reid notes that Bolton is "still recovering" and didn't have any further clarification regarding his status for Sunday's game.

Aug 25, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) reacts during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Bolton, who played in all of the Chiefs' games last season and logged a staggering 98% snap share for Steve Spagnuolo's defense in the regular season, has 15 tackles in two games thus far. The former second-round pick and local Missouri Tigers standout played 67 snaps (96%) in the club's season opener against the Detroit Lions before seeing his workload drop to 53 snaps (76%) in Week 2. In his place last week, veteran Drue Tranquill played 42 snaps and finished with eight tackles and half a sack in the process.

In an exclusive interview with Justin Melo right here on Arrowhead Report, Bolton recently discussed the possibility of him returning for Week 4:

Yeah, we’re just taking things day by day. I’m feeling a little bit better every single day. God willing, I’ll have the opportunity to go out there and compete. If I can go, I’ll be out there. We’ll see what’s in the plans for this week. I’m taking things day by day with my coaches and teammates. They’re offering a ton of encouragement. When I get back, I’ll be ready to go.

If Bolton can't go on Sunday, expect Tranquill to once again be heavily involved in the Chiefs' defensive game plan. The spring free agent signing mentioned on Wednesday that Bolton was a major help in the Bears game, as he was ready with tips and advice on what to keep an eye on. Behind Tranquill, the duo of Willie Gay Jr. and Leo Chenal will assume supporting roles at linebacker. It's possible that Jack Cochrane — who logged 13 defensive snaps and 18 special teams snaps in Week 2 — also gets a handful of looks. Thursday and Friday's practices will be more telling as far as Bolton's outlook is concerned.

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