Key Chief 'Expected to Be Fine' After Scary Practice Injury

Star Chiefs LB Nick Bolton seems to have avoided the worst following a scary injury suffered during Wednesday's practice. He was taken to the medical tent on a cart to examine his left elbow, potentially creating a hole at one of the defense's most important positions.

However, Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated reported that Bolton avoided serious injury and is expected to be fine.

With Justin Reid still sidelined and Chris Jones easing back from a groin issue, Bolton's status looms large for a defense that expects to be the NFL's best once again.

Chiefs LB Nick Bolton Avoided Serious Injury

This is a massive year for both the Chiefs and Bolton. Kansas City is obviously trying to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls, while Bolton enters a contract year hoping to prove he deserves to be paid like one of the top linebackers in the league.

He avoided extension talks throughout the summer, so he needs to stay on the field to show that value. Steve Spagnuolo routinely talks about how instrumental Bolton is to the defense as his vocal leader, though the Chiefs notably didn't miss a beat when he missed half of 2023 with a dislocated wrist.

When Bolton was fully healthy in 2022, he finished with 180 tackles and had a real chance to win Super Bowl MVP against the Eagles. There's no denying how impactful Bolton can be, especially when all the pieces on Spagnuolo's defense are humming.

If Bolton has the type of dominant season he expects to, things will get complicated. The Ravens' Roquon Smith has the highest annual salary at the position at $20 million, a significant price given the Chiefs only had to give Drue Tranquill $19 million over three years.

That's a problem for the future though. Today, Bolton avoided disaster and can keep focusing on being the best linebacker possible for Kansas City.

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