Chiefs injury report: Nick Bolton ruled out for Week 3

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their final practice on Friday before hosting the Chicago Bears in Week 3 on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. For the third practice in a row, linebacker Nick Bolton was forced to sit out due to an ankle injury.

Both Bolton and wide receiver Richie James sat out on Friday and both were officially listed as out for Sunday.

Head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters on Friday afternoon detailing the list of injuries and the status of each player as they looked in practice.

"As far as injuries go, the guys who didn’t practice today were [Nick] Bolton and Richie James," said Reid. "They’re making progress but weren’t able to practice. Kadarius [Toney] practiced and Willie [Gay] practiced. Those were the other guys that were hurt a little bit. [Isiah] Pacheco practiced."

Reid did acknowledge that linebacker Drue Tranquill would be the likely replacement for Bolton in the team's base defense as the primary communicator and leader of the group, saying the team had prepared for such a moment in the preseason by rotating those guys in and out of that role.

"Yeah, he's been working in there anyway. Spags has got all of these different packages so everybody has a chance to play, and he's got all of that experience so he'd be the most likely candidate."

The Chiefs are fortunate to have such talent at linebacker that they can withstand to let Bolton rest. They are the overwhelming favorites against the Bears as it is, and the Chiefs will want to make sure that Bolton's injury is nothing that lingers longer than necessary.

That said, Bolton is also the best tackler on the team and one of the best in the entire NFL. Last year he led K.C. with 180 total tackles while adding 2 sacks, 3 deflected passes, and 1 forced fumble. While the Chiefs can get by for a week if needed, Bolton would still be missed.