The Denver Broncos were back on the field on Wednesday as they prepare for Sunday’s home matchup against AFC West Division rival the Los Angeles Chargers. After sweeping them last season, the Broncos are looking to repeat that if they can take care of business on Sunday afternoon, with kickoff slated for 2:05 p.m. MT on CBS.
Denver Broncos designate Audric Estime, Damarri Mathis to return off IR
The Denver Broncos officially activated the 21-day window for rookie running back Audric Estime and cornerback Damarri Mathis after they designated them to return from injured reserve on Wednesday. Both Estime and Mathis were on the field during the media viewing portion of practice.
Estime suffered a high ankle sprain in Denver’s Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, while Mathis suffered a high ankle sprain in Denver’s third and final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The team now has 21 days from today to bring them onto the active roster, or else they’ll revert to IR for the remainder of the season.
Both Mathis and Estime are eligible to return this Sunday against the Chargers, but in order for that to take place, the team must make corresponding roster moves if both return this weekend. Right now, there’s some uncertainty regarding the status of offensive tackle Alex Palczewski, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s win vs. the Las Vegas Raiders — and center Luke Wattenberg who suffered a lower leg injury as well.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton didn’t provide an update on them outside of “We’ll see.”
Speaking of the injury report, the Broncos had three players who did not participate.
Wattenberg (ankle), Palczewski (ankle) and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) were listed as DNP on Wednesday.
Defensive ends John Franklin-Myers (shoulder) and Zach Allen (NIR-rest) were each limited participants, while Estime and Mathis were full participants to round out the injury report.
Denver Broncos injury report from Wednesday
Full
- Cornerback Damarri Mathis – ankle.
- Running back Audric Estime – ankle.
Limited
- Defensive end John Franklin-Myers – shoulder.
- Defensive end Zach Allen – NIR-rest.
Did Not Participate
- Offensive tackle Alex Palczewski – ankle.
- Center Luke Wattenberg – ankle.
- Wide receiver Josh Reynolds – hand.
For the Los Angeles Chargers they had a lengthy list of non participants on Wednesday.
Chargers DNPs
- Outside linebacker Joey Bosa – hip.
- Kicker Cameron Dicker – illness.
- Running back Gus Edwards – ankle.
- Cornerback Kristian Fulton – knee.
- Safety Derwin James – NIR-personal.
- Defensive back Deane Leonard – hamstring.
- Cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor – fibula.
Denver will be back on the practice field once again on Thursday, and we’ll continue to monitor the status of Reynolds, Palczewski, and Wattenberg.