Curtis Bolton

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Curtis Bolton

| image = Curtis Bolton 40 Packers training camp 2019.jpg

| caption = Bolton with the Green Bay Packers in 2019

| current_team =

| number =

| position = Linebacker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|12|18}}

| birth_place = Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lbs = 228

| high_school = Vista Murrieta {{avoid wrap|(Murrieta, California)}}

| college = Oklahoma (2014–2018)

| undraftedyear = 2019

| pastteams =

Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2021}})
Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2022|2023}})
Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2024}})
Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}})*

| status =

| statleague =

| statseason = 2024

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 16

| statlabel2 =

| statvalue2 =

| statlabel3 =

| statvalue3 =

| pfr = BoltCu00

}}

Curtis Giles Charles Bolton III (December 18, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker. He has previously played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Early life

Bolton finished his senior season with 109 tackles including 29 for a loss and 13 sacks while being named defensive MVP of the Southwestern league.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Eric |date=February 5, 2014 |title=OU 2014: Curtis Bolton, LB |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/ou/football/ou-2014-curtis-bolton-lb/article_49864af8-8d16-11e3-89ce-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}} Bolton committed to Oklahoma over offers for Arizona, Fresno State and others.{{cite web |url= https://247sports.com/Player/Curtis-Bolton-29311/high-school-48221/| title= Curtis Bolton Profile|publisher= 247Sports}} He is of Italian descent.{{Cite web|url=https://vergemagazine.co.uk/nfl-to-celebrate-the-leagues-international-diversity-with-helmet-initiative-in-weeks-4-and-5/|title=NFL to Celebrate the League's International Diversity with Helmet Initiative in Weeks 4 and 5 - Alt Sports|first=Taye|last=Rowland-Dixon|date=September 29, 2022}}

College career

Bolton started one season at Oklahoma, his senior season. Bolton recorded 138 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 2 pass deflected.{{Cite web |last=Bukowski |first=Peter |date=August 13, 2019 |title=From trying to make the team to running with the starters, Curtis Bolton is again exceeding expectations |url=https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/packers-training-camp-2019/2019/8/13/20801973/packers-curtis-bolton-oklahoma-undrafted-free-agent-linebacker-oren-burks-injury-nfl-preseason |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Acme Packing Company |language=en}}

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 0 1/8

| weight = 228

| dash = 4.59

| ten split = 1.57

| twenty split = 2.67

| shuttle = 4.35

| cone drill = 7.19

| vertical = 38.0

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 11

| bench = 17

| arm span = 31 7/8

| hand span = 10 3/8

| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=132126&DraftYear=2019 |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Curtis Bolton College Football Profile |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

=Green Bay Packers=

After going undrafted Bolton signed with the Green Bay Packers.{{cite web |url= https://overthecap.com/player/curtis-bolton/8154/| title= Curtis Bolton Contract|publisher= Over The Cap}} He started the preseason totaling 8 tackles, two pass deflections and an interception in the first two preseason games.{{Cite web |last=Boston |first=Freddie |date=August 20, 2019 |title=Three Packers who increased their stock in preseason |url=https://lombardiave.com/2019/08/20/three-packers-increased-stock-preseason/ |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Lombardi Ave |language=en-US}} Bolton tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason game and was placed on the season-ending injured reserve.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Mason |date=September 5, 2019 |title=OU football: Curtis Bolton reveals season-ending injury |url=https://www.oudaily.com/sports/ou-football-curtis-bolton-reveals-season-ending-injury/article_4abb2f0a-d032-11e9-a3ee-ab84f14240b4.html |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=OU Daily |language=en}} He was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list (PUP) at the start of training camp on July 31, 2020.{{cite news |author=Kruse, Zach |title=Packers place 2 on PUP list, 2 others on non-football injury list |url=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/2020/07/31/packers-place-2-on-pup-list-2-others-on-non-football-injury-list/ |website=USAToday.com |date=July 31, 2020 |accessdate=August 1, 2020}} He was moved to the reserve/PUP list at the start of the regular season on September 5, 2020.{{cite news |title=Packers announce roster moves |url=https://www.packers.com/news/green-bay-packers-announce-roster-moves-2020-roster-reduction |website=Packers.com |date=September 5, 2020 |accessdate=September 15, 2020}} On October 6, 2020, Bolton was waived by the Packers.{{cite web|url= https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-wr-reggie-begelton-and-lb-curtis-bolton| title= Packers Release WR Reggie Begelton and LB Curtis Bolton|publisher= Green Bay Packers|date=October 6, 2020}}

=Houston Texans=

On November 10, 2020, Bolton was signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (11-10-20)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-11-10-20|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=November 10, 2020}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (1-4-21)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-1-4-21|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=January 4, 2021}} He was waived on March 16, 2021.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (3-16-2021)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-3-16-2021|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=March 16, 2021}}

=Indianapolis Colts=

On August 10, 2021, Bolton signed with the Indianapolis Colts.{{cite web|title=Colts Sign Linebacker Curtis Bolton, Waive Tackle Jake Benzinger|url=https://www.colts.com/news/curtis-bolton-linebacker-free-agent-sign-jake-benzinger-waive-roster-moves|website=Colts.com|date=August 10, 2021}} He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, but released two days later.{{cite web|title=Colts Announce Final 2021 Roster Cuts|url=https://www.colts.com/news/final-camp-roster-cuts-brett-hundley-shawn-davis-demichael-harris-will-holden|website=Colts.com|date=August 31, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Colts Sign 15 Players To Practice Squad|url=https://www.colts.com/news/practice-squad-brett-hundley-deon-jackson-demichael-harris-tyler-vaughns|website=Colts.com|date=September 1, 2021}}{{cite web|title=Colts Sign Tyler Davis, Marvell Tell III To Practice Squad; Release Curtis Bolton, Tyler Vaughns From Practice Squad|url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-sign-tyler-davis-marvell-tell-iii-to-practice-squad-release-curtis-bolton|website=Colts.com|date=September 3, 2021}}

=San Francisco 49ers=

On September 14, 2021, Bolton was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.{{cite web|title=49ers Sign Dre Kirkpatrick, Place Raheem Mostert and Jason Verrett on IR|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-dre-kirkpatrick-place-raheem-mostert-and-jason-verrett-on-ir|website=49ers.com|date=September 14, 2021}} He was released on October 5.{{cite web|title=49ers Sign K Joey Slye; Add Three Players to Practice Squad|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/49ers-sign-k-joey-slye-add-three-players-to-practice-squad|website=49ers.com|date=October 5, 2021}}

=Detroit Lions=

On December 1, 2021, Bolton was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.{{cite web|title=Lions Add Former Sooners, Packers Linebacker to Practice Squad|url=https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/practice-squad-curtis-bolton-signing/|website=Heavy.com|date=December 1, 2021}} Bolton made his NFL debut in a game against the Denver Broncos on December 12, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/12/detroit-lions-signing-linebacker-curtis-bolton-off-practice-squad.html|title = Detroit Lions signing linebacker Curtis Bolton off practice squad|date = December 28, 2021}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 28.{{Cite web |last=Risdon |first=Jeff |date=December 28, 2021 |title=Lions sign LB Curtis Bolton, TE Jared Pinkney in flurry of roster moves |url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/28/detroit-lions-roster-moves-curtis-bolton-brock-wright-jared-pinkney-jashon-cornell-josh-woods-injuries/ |access-date=August 19, 2023 |website=Lions Wire |publisher=USA Today}}

On April 27, 2022, Bolton was waived by the Lions.{{cite web |last1=Alper |first1=Josh |title=Lions waive Hunter Bryant, Curtis Bolton |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/04/27/lions-waive-hunter-bryant-curtis-bolton/ |website=ProFootballTalk |access-date=April 28, 2022 |date=April 27, 2022}}

=Las Vegas Raiders=

On August 1, 2022, Bolton signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.{{cite web |last1=Damien |first1=Levi |title=Recent key injuries at linebacker leads to Raiders signing LB Curtis Bolton |url=https://raiderswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/01/recent-key-injuries-at-linebacker-leads-to-raiders-signing-lb-curtis-bolton/ |website=USAToday.com |access-date=August 1, 2022 |date=August 1, 2022}} He was waived on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for the 2022 season|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-finalize-initial-53-man-roster-2022-season-transactions-waive-release|website=Raiders.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Raiders announce practice squad additions|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-announce-2022-practice-squad-additions-nfl-transactions-roster|website=Raiders.com|date=August 31, 2022}} On October 10, 2022, Bolton was elevated to the active roster for the week 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2022 |title=We have activated LB Curtis Bolton and CB Javelin Guidry from the practice squad. |url=https://twitter.com/Raiders/status/1579589014314942464 |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Twitter.com |publisher=Las Vegas Raiders}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 10.{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Raiders place TE Darren Waller and WR Hunter Renfrow on injured reserve, sign LB Curtis Bolton to active roster |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-place-te-darren-waller-and-wr-hunter-renfrow-on-injured-reserve-nfl-2022 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |website=Raiders.com}}

On March 18, 2023, Bolton re-signed with the Raiders.{{cite web|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-re-sign-curtis-bolton-linebacker-nfl-2023-free-agency-transactions |title=Raiders re-sign LB Curtis Bolton |website=Raiders.com |date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2023}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 30. He was activated on October 30.{{cite web|title=Raiders activate LB Curtis Bolton, place LB Kana'i Mauga on injured reserve|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-activate-lb-curtis-bolton-place-lb-kana-i-mauga-on-injured-reserve|website=Raiders.com|date=October 30, 2023}}

=Miami Dolphins=

On July 27, 2024, Bolton was signed by the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/roster-moves-bolton-hardison|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=July 27, 2024}} He was released on August 27.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-8-27-24|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 27, 2024}}

=New York Giants=

On August 28, 2024, Bolton signed with the New York Giants.{{cite web|title=Giants sign LB Curtis Bolton; LB Dyontae Johnson placed on IR among series of roster moves|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-sign-curtis-bolton-dyontae-johnson-injured-reserve-anthony-johnson-gervarrius-owens-practice-squad|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=August 28, 2024}} He was waived on September 7, but re-signed to the practice squad two days later.{{cite web |last1=Bouda |first1=Nate |title=Giants Sign WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Add LB Curtis Bolton To PS |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/giants-sign-wr-ihmir-smith-marsette-add-lb-curtis-bolton-to-ps/ |website=NFL Trade Rumors |access-date=10 September 2024}} On November 19, Bolton was waived from the practice squad.{{cite web |last1=Fennelly |first1=John |title=Giants sign OL Tyre Phillips, QB Tim Boyle to practice squad |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2024/11/20/new-york-giants-sign-tyre-phillips-tim-boyle-practice-squad/ |website=Giants Wire |access-date=20 November 2024}}

=Tennessee Titans=

On December 10, 2024, Bolton signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad.{{cite web |last1=Wyatt |first1=Jim |title=Titans Waive OL Leroy Watson While Signing Three Players to the Team's Practice Squad |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-waive-ol-leroy-watson-while-signing-three-players-to-the-team-s-practice-squad |website=tennesseetitans.com |access-date=11 December 2024}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025.{{cite web|title=Titans Sign 12 Players to Futures Contracts|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-12-players-to-futures-contracts|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=January 6, 2025}}

On April 16, 2025, Bolton was released by the Titans.{{cite web |last1=Wyatt |first1=Jim |title=Titans Trim Roster, Part Ways With Six Players |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-trim-roster-part-ways-with-six-players |website=tennesseetitans.com |access-date=17 April 2025}}