Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak was careful with his first-string players, especially those in the trenches, in Saturday’s Preseason Week 2 game against San Francisco. That didn’t prevent a few injuries from testing Denver’s depth on both sides of the ball.
Offensive tackle Darrion Weems came out in the second quarter with a concussion. Linebacker Corey Nelson went down shortly thereafter with a wrist injury. Both were ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The Broncos have to be grateful those were the only two injuries in the 31-24 loss. The concussion will require protocol and time off. The wrist injury doesn’t appear to be too serious. He said postgame he will have an MRI on Sunday; X-rays came back negative.
As for the first-team players, it was an in-and-out night for those who actually played.
Derek Wolfe, who rolled an ankle in Thursday’s practice, was active and played exceptionally well. The fifth-year DE showed no signs of injury in the two series he played.
Aqib Talib and DeMarcus ware were among the starters that did did not play at all. Von Miller and most of the first-team defense played only two series, holding San Francisco to 37 scoreless yards. Talib is recovering from an offseason gunshot wound to his leg, but has been a full participant in practices of late. Ware has been favoring a back injury since last season, but said during an in-game interview he would have played if this had been a regular season game.
Russell Okung played only one series with the offensive line. Virgil Green was the only one of the starting skill players to extend his evening and play with Mark Sanchez and the second unit. Okung said during an in-game interview it was good to “knock some of the rust off,” and praised the depth of the other players on the o-line.
Last week Denver lost Bennie Fowler in Preseason Week 1 to a chip in his elbow. He hopes to return for the season opener.
Here’s what the Denver media had to say about the injuries and playing time for the first stringers.
Injuries
Another RG goes down. Sambrailo and now Weems. We're getting closer to Michael Schofield starting the opener. #PassTheRolaids. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) August 21, 2016
Weems is being evaluated for a possible concussion.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016
Nelson favoring his right arm/wrist as he walks off field… #Broncos, #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 21, 2016
Corey Nelson questionable with wrist injury
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) August 21, 2016
Injury update for the Broncos: OL Darrion Weems (concussion, out) and LB Corey Nelson (wrist, out).
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) August 21, 2016
Corey Nelson told me he's getting an MRI tomorrow on his wrist. XRay came back negative. He said he thinks he'll be good.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 21, 2016
Playing Time
What ankle injury? #Broncos Derek Wolfe tackle for loss on the 49ers 1st play from scrimmage
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) August 21, 2016
Russell Okung appears to be done for the night. Schofield is now at left tackle.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016
Marshall, Williams, Ward, Stewart, Harris, Miller look like they're done for the night.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016
Yep, it's Mark Sanchez. Siemian's night is done. OL the second string.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 21, 2016