Tigers in the NFL: Nick Bolton punches his way to top performance
Although Kansas City left Monday Night Football with its third loss of the season, Nick Bolton helped keep an early lead with one punch.
During the second quarter of a 31-28 loss to Jacksonville, Bolton jumped over the line of scrimmage to meet Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The fifth-year linebacker forced the ball out of Lawrence’s hands to prevent a touchdown and force a turnover on fourth down.
Bolton also missed out on a second forced turnover. In the second quarter, with a 14-0 lead, Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie deflected a pass that popped up in the air. Bolton attempted to catch it before linebacker Drue Tranquill bumped into him and missed the interception as well. Jacksonville ended up scoring later in the drive.
In his fifth contest of the season, Bolton logged his second double-digit tackle performance with 12 total, seven solo. On the opposite end, the Jaguars released former Missouri running back Cody Schrader pregame Monday.
Badie, Okwuegbunam & D-Line Zou
In an emphatic 21-17 victory over Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions, Denver saw production once again from running back Tyler Badie. The third-year runner caught one pass for 16 yards and logged one tackle on special teams. Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine did not record a traditional stat.
Sticking in the AFC West, Las Vegas tight end Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. saw his first action of the season in a 40-6 blowout loss to Indianapolis. The fifth-year player reeled in five of his six targets for 36 yards, including a long of 16. Okwuegbunam last recorded a reception Jan. 1, 2023 for Denver.
Arizona ruled out defensive lineman Darius Robinson for Sunday due to a chest injury sustained in Week 4, when the former Missouri defensive end recorded his first sack of the season. The 2024 first-rounder missed the majority of his rookie season due to injury.
San Francisco tackle Jordan Elliot picked up one tackle in a 26-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Cleveland defensive end Isaiah McGuire also contributed two tackles for loss in a 21-17 loss to Minnesota in London.