The Denver Broncos made a huge investment this offseason by adding Dre Greenlaw to an already strong defense. After Greenlaw’s recent injuries, the Broncos are taking the smart approach with protecting that investment ahead of Denver’s regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans.
Denver Broncos taking smart approach with Dre Greenlaw
Dre Greenlaw is every bit as advertised when he’s on the field. Sure, he didn’t play a single preseason game this offseason, but he’s practiced in full for the last three weeks.
The biggest thing with Greenlaw recently was his quad scare after he initially injured it back in April while working out. Early on in training camp, he suffered a scare during one-on-one drills, which prompted the Broncos to dial things back a bit with him.
With the Broncos’ Week 1 season opener this Sunday, head coach Sean Payton made it clear that the team is taking a smart and conservative approach with him because they believe he’ll be an important piece for them and the goals they’ve set collectively as a team.
“We are being smart,” Payton said. “We’re being conservative relative to the approach. It’s a long season, and most importantly, having him not only healthy early on, but for the long haul is the goal. Beau [Lowery] and his staff do a great job of that better than anyone in the league. I think with each player, you have to treat them accordingly relative to the injuries, the injury history, and the position they play. Is there always a risk when you’re lining up out there playing a position like that? There certainly is, but he’s very much in tune with what we’re doing.”
Last week, Payton indicated that the team could very well start the regular season with Greenlaw and Alex Singleton on certain pitch counts because of those collective factors.
“We have to be smart,” Payton said. “[ILB] Alex [Singleton] is coming back off of an injury. [LB] Dre [Greenlaw] is coming back. We have to be smart, and look at pitch counts, and be ready to play some younger players and not just say, ‘Week 1, we’re throwing them out there for 70 plays.’ But absolutely.”
The Denver Broncos will practice later on this afternoon. Stay tuned to Mile High Sports for practice news and notes later.