The Broncos will be without one of their most valuable players this week.
That’s right, after coming into close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, kicker Brandon McManus has been placed on the COVID-19/reserve list by Denver.
McManus tweeted it out himself yesterday, after the Vic Fangio presser with the media, so we’re unsure of what the Broncos look to do to fill his important shoes this week. Or, maybe they won’t have to? McManus also tweeted he expects to play this week, which is Saturday instead of a usual Sunday kickoff.
I will be going on the Reserve/COVID-19 list because of a close contact outside the building. Still plan on playing Saturday
— Brandon McManus (@thekidmcmanus) December 14, 2020
The Broncos (5-8) host the AFC East leading Buffalo Bills (10-3) this Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. MT kickoff scheduled. So, how is it that McManus could actually play only five days after he came into close contact with someone known to have the virus?
NFL.com put out a memo earlier in the year saying players will be allowed to play once they are “medically cleared.” Does that mean two days of negative tests in a row? And how can that be enough time when the virus’ incubation period can run up to 14 days?
ESPN.com added that players will be taken off the temporary IR, which is what McManus is on, when “they are healthy.”
Finally, the Broncos clarified he can return if he tests negative five consecutive days, which would be a negative every day including Saturday. So, we’re saying there’s a chance he does play this week.
Of course, Broncos fans have been upset with how the league has handled close contacts already this year. A few weeks ago, starting quarterback Drew Lock and all the rest of his positionmates were deemed close contacts when backup gunslinger Jeff Driskel tested positive for Coronavirus. That meant the team was unable to play with a quarterback, having to activate practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton to play QB (miserably) in that blowout loss.
The only difference there was the time frame; Driskel and the QBs were unmasked together on Thursday, and pulled off the practice field that Saturday. McManus has a few more days to possibly test negative multiple times.
As for now, ESPN Fantasy Football has him listed as out this week.
McManus has been a great kicker this year, going 22-of-24 on field goal attempts and 21-of-24 on extra points. That includes two missed extra points last week in the win over Carolina. His only two field goal misses this season have come from longer than 50 yards away.
Denver signed Taylor Russolino to the practice squad last week. He’s a rookie kicker at 31 years old. He went to Millsaps for college.