KC Chiefs Place Nick Bolton on Injured Reserve, Elevate Deon Bush

Kansas City puts its leading linebacker on IR and makes a corresponding move to help Dave Toub's special teams unit.

The Kansas City Chiefs hinted in recent days that they'd be shaking up the roster picture a bit before their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Just over 24 hours before game time, that set of moves has been announced.

Per a post from the Chiefs' official team account on X, linebacker Nick Bolton was placed on the reserve/injured list. In a corresponding move, safety Deon Bush has been activated from the practice squad via standard elevation. 

We have activated S Deon Bush via Standard Elevation.

We have placed LB Nick Bolton on Reserve/Injured. pic.twitter.com/6n8MN7xIha

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 28, 2023

We have activated S Deon Bush via Standard Elevation.

We have placed LB Nick Bolton on Reserve/Injured.

Bolton, who already missed three games earlier this season with a high-ankle sprain, suffered a dislocated wrist late in Kansas City's Week 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. He underwent subsequent surgery earlier this week in California and was ruled out in advance of this Sunday's game. While on the injured reserve list, he'll have to miss at least the team's next four games.

On Thursday, special teams coordinator Dave Toub discussed the looming decision to place Bolton on IR and who could potentially take his spot on the roster. 

"We'll have to make a decision," Toub said. "We've got some ideas out there [of] what we're going to do. Obviously, we'll make that decision as the week goes on. But yeah, we're going to have to do something there in the linebacker area or possibly bring up a safety. But that guy's going to help me, he's going to be a special teams guy because what happens is (Drue) Tranquill was helping me and now he's going to be strictly on defense and now I have to get his position replaced."

Chiefs Confident in Linebacker Plan With Nick Bolton Out

Bush, who played in 16 regular-season games and logged 11 tackles for Steve Spagnuolo's defense last season, has been a trusted special teams option in the past. The eighth-year veteran has yet to appear in a game for the Chiefs this season, instead spending time on the club's practice squad. In the absence of Bolton, Drue Tranquill will step up in the starting lineup and Bush could potentially assume some of his snaps on special teams on Sunday afternoon. 

Read More: Chiefs Can Inch Closer to NFL History With a Week 8 Win Over Broncos