KC Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, Nick Bolton, Lucas Niang ruled out vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chiefs have wide receiver Tyreek Hill available, but their gamble that three other players could clear the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols in time to play in Sunday’s game didn’t work out.
The Chiefs ruled out tight end Travis Kelce, rookie linebacker Nick Bolton and rookie tackle Lucas Niang for their late-afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium.
On Saturday, the Chiefs had listed Kelce, Bolton and Niang as questionable for the game, with the hope that each could clear the protocol in time to suit up.
Kelce was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, while Hill, Bolton and Niang joined the list Tuesday. Hill cleared the protocol Saturday.
The Chiefs on Saturday elevated tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart from their practice squad. He will join Noah Gray and Blake Bell, who cleared COVID-19 protocols Friday, as KC tight ends who are active for the Steelers game.
Bolton’s absence will be felt. The rookie has a team-high 102 tackles, and the Chiefs are down to a rotation at the linebacker position between Anthony Hitchens, Ben Niemann, Dorian O’Daniel and Willie Gay Jr., who returned from the COVID-19 list Wednesday after missing Week 15.
With Niang out, the Chiefs are likely to lean on offensive lineman Andrew Wylie, who would draw the unenviable task of blocking Steelers All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt.
In addition to Griffin-Stewart, the Chiefs on Saturday elevated punter Johnny Townsend, cornerback Josh Jackson and rookie cornerback Dicaprio Bootle from their practice squad.
Townsend replaces his brother, Tommy, who landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Kicker Harrison Butker, cornerback Rashad Fenton, offensive lineman Kyle Long and safety Armani Watts also remain in the league’s COVID-19 protocol. The Chiefs had a total of 14 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list over the past two weeks.
Elliott Fry will handle the kicking duties in place of Butker.
Rookie quarterback Shane Buechele is the Chiefs’ final inactive player.
For the Steelers, quarterback Dwayne Haskins, linebacker Buddy Johnson, tight end Pat Freiermuth, defensvie end Chris Wormley, punter Pressley Harvin and punter Cameron Nizialek are not dressed for Sunday’s game.
This story was originally published December 26, 2021 at 9:51 AM.
