The Green Bay Packers will test the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but they won’t be quite at full strength. However, considering the team’s remarks on Nick Bolton’s injury status, the reigning Super Bowl winners might have their whole roster ready when the season’s final stretch starts the following week.
The Chiefs’ outstanding middle linebacker, Chris Bolton, will not play against the Packers in Week 13 as Kansas City takes extra care in his comeback from a dislocated left wrist. Despite his prolonged absence, he is scheduled to play December 10th at home against the Buffalo Bills. In the meanwhile, the Chiefs will have two important players return to Lambeau Field.
“The Chiefs said they’ll likely hold off on signing LB Nick Bolton for a week. The rest of the team, which includes wide receiver Kadarius Toney and running back Jerick McKinnon, is anticipated to play against the Packers, according to a tweet from Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney on Friday morning.
Although Bolton is the most prominent player listed on the official injury report, Kansas City’s defense is still strong enough to succeed without him. Drue Tranquill, an offseason addition, has already replaced Bolton seven times this season as the Chiefs’ defense—which has significantly improved—as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s top middle linebacker and defensive play-caller.
Tranquill isn’t as good against the run as Bolton, but he’s quietly become one of the NFL’s greatest cover linebackers and isn’t hesitant to use his strength as a blitzer and in the run game. With a team-high 71 tackles, six tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, and two forced fumbles going into Week 13, Tranquill is a dangerous player.
Toney’s return to action following hip and ankle problems is encouraging for the offensive unit, which last week against the Las Vegas Raiders helped them regain some momentum. He was predicted to be Patrick Mahomes’ top receiver heading into training camp, but he’s fallen short of those astronomically high expectations this season, largely functioning as a gadget player in spite of Kansas City’s well-documented issues at the position.
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