Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton left practice early Wednesday with a left elbow injury, adding to a list of Chiefs ailments that grows more concerning as the team readies for the regular season.
Bolton is a fourth-year player and leader on KC’s defense.
“He tweaked his elbow,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after practice. “Just kind of caught him in between two guys.”
Bolton wasn’t the only player to leave early. Receiver Kadarius Toney, who also had worked some at running back this camp, hurt his ankle and didn’t return to the workout.
Others injured during Wednesday’s steamy practice at Missouri Western included tight end Izaiah Gathings (hamstring), offensive tackle Chu Godrick (ankle) and guard McKade Mettauer (ankle).
Bolton’s ailment should garner the most interest. Last week at camp, he spoke about how good it felt to be healthy following last season, when he reported he was unable to “use my whole left side.”
At that time, Bolton was in a cast for a wrist injury and suffered from bursitis in his left elbow and ankle.
“I was kind of hobbling, trying to get through — a little Humpty Dumpty all the way to the Super Bowl,” Bolton said on July 22. “So I was trying to find a way to just play, get out there and give my teammates a chance to win.”
Another left-side ding isn’t ideal, then, even if Reid didn’t seem overly concerned about Bolton when discussing the team’s high number of recent defensive injuries.
“I think we’re OK at this point,” Reid said of the group. “They’ll be back, and they’ll be back here, and they’ll have time to work. So I think we’ll be fine there.”
Many other Chiefs haven’t been full-go, either.
Safety Justin Reid has missed all of camp after hurting his quad, while cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (hamstring/knee) also sat out Wednesday. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Chris Jones returned to limited drills after missing Monday with a hurt groin, and cornerback Jaylen Watson joined his first practice Wednesday following offseason shoulder injury.
On offense, receiver Justin Watson has yet to be back on the field this week after hurting his foot last week.
The length of Toney’s absence will be worth monitoring, as he’s fighting for a roster spot at receiver. The fourth-year pro battled multiple injuries last season as well.
“You want to be there every day. So anytime you miss, especially during install days, you’re missing a load there,” Reid said of Toney. “So he’s got to take care of what he’s got and get himself back out there when he can.”
The Chiefs start the preseason Aug. 10 at Jacksonville before opening the NFL regular season on Sept. 5 against the Ravens.
