The Denver Broncos will be back on the practice field this afternoon at the Centura Training Center as they prepare for their season-finale against AFC West Division rival Las Vegas Raiders. What are some of the storylines to monitor as the team concludes the season this week?
Will Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton return to practice this week?
After suffering a concussion on Christmas Eve in the Broncos loss to the New England Patriots, Courtland Sutton missed practice all of last week and did not play in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Sutton continues to go through the NFL’s concussion protocol but could return this week as Jarrett Stidham makes his second start of the season at quarterback. The potential return of Denver’s top wide receiver would be big for Sunday’s season-finale as Sutton has turned in a remarkable year.
Sutton’s hauled in a career-high ten touchdown receptions this season, the first double-digit receiving touchdown performance by a Broncos wide receiver since 2014.
His size and presence were missed last week as Stidham made his first start as a Bronco, but the team saw Lil’Jordan Humphrey step up in a big way on his 54-yard catch and run that scored Denver’s only offensive touchdown of the game.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton wants his team to finish on a strong note, and a win on Sunday against the Raiders would give them their first winning season since 2016. Finishing 9-8 would be an impressive feat for this Broncos team that once saw themselves sitting at 1-5 to start the year.
Sutton’s reintroduction into the offense could help them see a big boost to potentially close out the season.
A positive note about his potential re-acclimation into practice was that he was doing light work on the team’s side field on Thursday and Friday last week.
Will Mike McGlinchey be able to give it a go?
Another storyline to monitor as the team prepares for practice this week surrounds whether or not offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey will be able to go this week after leaving Sunday’s game with a rib injury. Earlier in the week, Broncos head coach Sean Payton told us that they’re more optimistic about McGlinchey’s injury, so we’ll monitor if he’s out there at practice today.
If McGlinchey does not participate or is limited, it’s imperative to keep an eye on veteran Cam Fleming, who stepped into place after the injury and finished the game. Another possibility to monitor could mean the Broncos look to see undrafted rookie free agent Alex Palczewski get some reps.
He’s spent most of this season on injured reserve, but Denver opened up his 21-day window a couple of weeks ago. They could activate him this week, possibly if McGlinchey is unable to go. He could start, or he could be the backup to Fleming if that is the direction the team chooses to go.
Denver could activate him now that there is a roster spot open after Payton announced that safety and special teams contributor Delarrin Turner-Yell would go on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday’s win against the Chargers.
