The Kansas City Chiefs were happy to welcome back third-year linebacker Nick Bolton to practice this week as he returns from wrist surgery following an early season dislocation. That said, the team has also made sure to note that he's not yet ready to return to the field of play as the team takes to the road in Week 13.
The Chiefs are scheduled to play at Lambeau Stadium against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, but they will be without Bolton for at least one more week. It's also possible Bolton sits out another game or two.
The Chiefs announced that Nick Bolton will remain out despite returning to practice this week.
Remember that Bolton originally went down with an injured wrist on October 22 in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. From there, the Chiefs were given a potential two-month timeline for Bolton to return, which put him right in line to come back around the holidays. The Chiefs play the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day and the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year's Eve, as currently scheduled.
However, the Chiefs have brought back Bolton to practice, albeit with a cast on his arm, in late November. Doing so begins a 21-day window within which the team must bring him back onto the active roster or not. So far, they can keep him on IR and away from the field for another game and that might continue into Week 14 and 15 as well. But somewhere around the Chiefs' game against the New England Patriots on December 17, Bolton could be back (if not earlier).
While the Chiefs defense has held things together well in Bolton's absence, everyone on the team will be thrilled to welcome him back as the captain and leader of the unit. Together with Leo Chenal, Willie Gay Jr. and Drue Tranquill, the Chiefs have one of the league's most dynamic LB groups in the game.
So far this season, Bolton has only 28 total tackles and 1 interception in 4 games.