The Kansas City Chiefs have missed having linebacker Nick Bolton in the heart of the defense for the last couple of months. As the team's defensive captain and primary communicator on that side of the ball. Bolton's importance is hard to quantify for an exemplary unit. And it didn't take long for Bolton's presence to be felt as he returned to the field in Week 14.
The Chiefs are hosting the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon in an important game for AFC playoff positioning (or even making the postseason for Buffalo) and find themselves down 14-7 at halftime. However, the difference could have been far greater if not for Bolton.
The Chiefs linebacker is back for his first game in a couple of months and he's already come up big in Week 14.
On the final drive before halftime, quarterback Josh Allen had the Bills at midfield and a chance to either attempt a 62-yard field goal as time expired or a Hail Mary pass attempt into the end zone. The Bills opted for the latter and sent a long pass sailing downfield.
That would’ve been a nice Hail Mary 😭 pic.twitter.com/8xGoZAiVyZ
— 〽️ikeroccovioli (@mikeroccovioli) December 10, 2023
Allen delivered the ball where he needed and, as the ball fell from the initial touches in the end zone, it could have easily fallen into the hands of Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir. However, Bolton comes up with the heads-up play and deflects it to the ground.
Bolton was removed from the Chiefs injured reserve in recent weeks after suffering a wrist dislocation against the L.A. Chargers in late October. The wrist injury required surgery and forced him to miss nearly two months on IR.
Bolton has 28 tackles in four total games this year coming into Week 14.