The Kansas City Chiefs will be without two key players heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. Injuries suffered in last week’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars will force linebacker Nick Bolton (ankle) and wide receiver Richie James (knee) to be sidelined for Week 2.
Bolton and James missed practice all week. James was hinted earlier in the week to be out after special teams coordinator Dave Toub discussed trying out other options as this week’s punt returner. Bolton is a leader on defense and one of the best tacklers in the NFL. He could not get any work on the field because of lingering ankle pain.
Here’s the final injury report for the Chiefs and Bears. pic.twitter.com/ICCy4Xk2uA
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) September 22, 2023
During Friday’s press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was initially optimistic about James and Bolton. “As far as injuries go, the guys who didn’t practice today were Bolton and Richie James.” said Reid before the official injury status listings. “So they’re making progress. They just weren’t able to practice.”
Kansas City also listed running back Isiah Pacheco (hamstring), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (toe) and linebacker Wille Gay (quadriceps) as questionable.