Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. (quad) is active for today's game against the Bears.

The league has suspended Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. for 4 games for violating the personal-conduct policy. The discipline addresses Gay's January arrest for damaging property. He'll miss games against the Colts, Buccaneers, Raiders and Bills before returning in Week 6. Rookie Leo Chenal checked in 3rd among Chiefs LBs in Week 2 playing time.

Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor property damage after an alleged domestic dispute with the mother of his son. We wouldn't bet on the situation affecting Gay's availability for Sunday's game against the Bills, but it'll be something to watch for potential league discipline.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters Wednesday that LB Anthony Hitchens is dealing with a right triceps contusion. NFL Network's Jeffrey Chadiha reports, however, that Hitchens also has a nerve injury in the elbow. It's not yet clear how long -- or even whether -- Hitchens will miss further time. Ben Niemann led Chiefs LBs in Week 6 playing time, with Hitchens leaving early. Nick Bolton checked in 2nd, while Willie Gay Jr.'s snap share declined vs. the previous game. Bolton is the most attractive IDP option among those 3.

In addition to the change at safety, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Chiefs' defensive alterations could include "possibly more Nick Bolton and Willie Gay together at linebacker." It'll be a tough situation to read for IDP value before we see the new snap distribution among Chiefs LBs. We did move Anthony Hitchens down the Week 6 LB rankings, though.

The Chiefs on Saturday activated LB Willie Gay Jr. from IR. He has been out since the end of preseason with a toe injury. Kansas City listed him as questionable for tonight's game against the Bills, and Gay shouldn't be in anyone's IDP plans yet. He has significant upside through the rest of the season, though.

The Chiefs on Thursday placed LB Willie Gay Jr. on IR with a toe injury he suffered in the team's final preseason game. The IR designation means Gay will miss at least 3 games, but it doesn't sound like they expect the issue to linger much beyond that. According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, there was "initial optimism" that the injury wasn't serious. Anthony Hitchens figures to lead the LB playing time for K.C. while Gay is out.

LB Nick Bolton joined the Chiefs in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Bolton racked up 198 tackles over 2 starting seasons, including 16.5 tackles for loss. He added 12 passes defensed. Bolton followed that up with a 64th-percentile speed score at his pro day. The biggest question for IDP purposes might be what his arrival means for Willie Gay Jr.'s outlook, but there's room for both to earn full-time roles and displace the lineup incumbents. Bolton looks like the safer bet for regular duty and production, with Gay the higher-upside athlete.

Chiefs LB Ben Niemann left in the 1st half of Sunday's win over the Falcons with a hamstring injury. With Anthony Hitchens (COVID list) and Damien Wilson (knee) already inactive, that left Darius Harris and Willie Gay Jr. to lead the LB corps in playing time. Harris edged Gay by 5 snaps, but Gay posted a team-high 9 tackles (7 solo). Kansas City clinched the AFC's top playoff seed with the win, so a meaningless Week 17 would seem like the perfect spot to give the 2nd-round rookie another start and a long look -- especially with other LBs nursing injuries. We'll see how this week unfolds, though.

The Chiefs grabbed LB Willie Gay Jr. with the penultimate pick in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Gay flashed impressive ability despite limited on-field experience at Mississippi State. He lost 8 games last season to an academic-fraud suspension and also punched a teammate, who then missed the Music City Bowl. Gay lands in a nice situation for immediate opportunity, though. Kansas City finished last season with no LB consistently playing full time. We'll see if he's ready to seize that opportunity in 2020. Gay certainly carries long-term intrigue for dynasty leagues.