The Denver Broncos are eager to be healthy for their final three games of the season and could see some players return here shortly.
Following Wednesday’s practice in Dove Valley, the Broncos released their official practice report that provides necessary injury updates.
Tight end Greg Dulcich did not participate in Wednesday’s practice as he continues to battle a foot injury that popped up following his first day back at practice last week.
“He just had some swelling and soreness in his foot,” Sean Payton said on Monday. “We took him off weight-bearing for a day or two. I’m anxious to see how he does this week. I expect him to play at some point in these final three weeks, but I don’t want you to think it was something that was going to preclude him from doing that. We’ll see where he’s at this week.”
While he didn’t return to Wednesday’s practice, we’ll keep an eye out for him on Thursday. His 21-day window is still open, and the Broncos can either activate him at some point or decide to keep him on injured reserve.
Dulcich’s injuries this season have impacted what we had all anticipated to be a major part of Denver’s offense, in particular under Payton.
“I felt like it happened early enough,” Payton said regarding Dulcich’s injury and the impact it’s had on the position. “We were still growing and trying to figure out where we were going. It’s hard to say because if you don’t have it, you start going somewhere because you just don’t have it. There are some things that we have seen from [TE] Lucas [Krull] that we really like, and I’m glad that we have him. He has an expanded role, but it’s hard to say because it was just in those infantile stages at the very beginning.”
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (knee) and veteran running back Samaje Perine were the only other players who did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Bonitto is working his way back from a knee injury sustained in the team’s win against the Los Angeles Chargers two weeks ago, and is considered day-to-day according to Payton.
“I’m optimistic,” Payton said regarding Bonitto. “He’ll be questionable for this game. He didn’t go today, but I know he’s feeling better. That’s kind of day-to-day with an MCL. I know he had a good first week of rehab and recovery. It is kind of a daily [thing]. I’ll ask [Vice President of Player Health and Performance] Beau [Lowery] in the staff meeting where we are at, and it is usually two players.”
Perine received a veteran’s day off on Wednesday and should be back and ready to go for Thursday’s practice.
Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was a limited participant on Wednesday as he continues to battle through an ankle injury he suffered on his interception return against the Chargers. He was limited all last week but still played in Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
Undrafted rookie free agent Alex Palczewski was designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday and has been out of action for the entirety of the season. He was listed as a limited participant with a knee injury but saw his first practice of the regular season.
Depending on how the Broncos next two games go, there could be a chance that Payton looks to get some optics on some of the younger players in the team’s final two games, contingent upon whether or not the Broncos are still in the playoff race.
