The Denver Broncos injury report to begin the week featured a handful of starters and role players ahead of their Week 2 matchup this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver saw several of them return for Thursday’s practice in Dove Valley.
Denver Broncos Thursday Injury Report
Garett Bolles, Luke Wattenberg, and Josh Reynolds each returned to practice on Thursday after all three of them missed Wednesday’s practice due to lingering injuries.
Bolles is fighting through an ankle injury he suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where both X-ray and MRI came back clean. His return on Thursday is a promising sign as Denver prepares for the Steelers top pass rush duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. If he’s able to make it through Friday’s practice and see himself upgraded, he could end up playing with the ankle heavily taped. On the hypothetical, if he were to miss on Sunday, Matt Peart would likely start at left tackle.
Wattenberg also experienced an ankle injury in Sunday’s loss and missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on Thursday. If he’s somehow unable to go on Sunday, Alex Forsyth would likely slide into the starting lineup.
Reynolds’ return to practice is a much-needed development as he battles an Achilles injury that’s been bothering him since OTAs. He hauled in five catches for 48 yards last week from Bo Nix and will be relied upon this season as another option for him in the passing game.
The only player who did not return to practice on Thursday was rookie receiver Devaughn Vele, who suffered a rib injury during Sunday’s game. He hauled in eight catches on eight targets last week, and his game status for Sunday will largely be determined by his participation in Friday’s practice. If he’s unable to go, Denver could look to elevate practice squad receiver David Sills as a gameday elevation on Sunday. Regardless, if Vele is unable to go, Broncos head coach Sean Payton should consider activating rookie Troy Franklin on Sunday, who presents a speed threat to Pittsburgh’s defense.
Broncos official injury report
- Offensive tackle Garett Bolles – ankle – limited.
- Center Luke Wattenberg – ankle – limited.
- Wide receiver Josh Reynolds – Achilles – limited.
- Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss – knee – full.
- Wide receiver Devaughn Vele – ribs – did not participate.
The Pittsburgh Steelers also released their injury report from Thursday’s practice.
Steelers official injury report
- Quarterback Russell Wilson – calf – limited.
- Linebacker Patrick Queen – groin – did not participate.
- Wide receiver Roman Wilson – ankle – full.
- Cornerback Darius Rush – concussion – limited.
- Offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. – ankle – full.
- Offensive guard Isaac Seumalo – pectoral – did not participate.
- Defensive tackle Cam Heyward – NIR (rest) – did not participate.
- Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi – knee – full.