Chiefs starters Nick Bolton, Richie James out for Sunday’s game against Chicago Bears
Nick Bolton and Richie James are out for the Chiefs game on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Other Chiefs players who had missed some amount of practice this week — wide receiver Kadarius Toney (toe), linebacker Willie Gay (quad) and running back Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) — were back on the field on Friday. They were listed as questionable for Sunday.
Bolton is nursing an ankle injury, and James a knee injury, from last weekend’s game at Jacksonville.
Bolton will miss his second game in a Chiefs uniform. The second-round NFL Draft pick from Missouri (2021) missed one game as rookie and started 12. He started all 17 games last season and both games this seaon..
Bolton has played in all six postseason games in two years. He returned a fumble for a touchdown in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
He leads the Chiefs in tackles and has topped that category in the previous two seasons. Last year, his 108 total tackles ranked second in the NFL.
Bolton also wears the green dot on his helmet, making him responsible for receiving defensive calls from the sideline, relaying them to teammates on the field and ensuring they’re aligned properly.
Drue Tranquill is the likely replacement for Bolton against the Bears.
“He’s been working in there,” Reid said. “He’d be the most likely one.”
Tranquill, the former LA Chargers linebacker, said he’s ready to call the defense.
“I feel really comfortable,” Tranquill said. “I’ve got a good room. I’ve got a good group of coaches that have really helped me along through OTAs and training camp. ... I’ll put my experience to the test and get out there and get things rolling.”
In two games, James has taken 26 snaps with the Chiefs’ offense, plus 18 snaps on special teams. He’s been the Chiefs’ only return man on punts and kickoffs. Four players who returned kicks for the Chiefs last season — Skyy Moore, Justin Watson, Pacheco and Toney — have taken reps in practice this week.
