The Denver Broncos have been decimated by injuries this season, with more than 22 players placed on injured reserve. As the team closes out its season this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos are hopeful several key players will be back.
Denver Broncos practice report from Thursday
The Broncos’ offense enters this week with several key players’ statuses for Sunday currently in question as they prepare for the Chargers. Offensive tackle Calvin Anderson did not participate during practice for the second consecutive day in a row as he continues to fight through an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the last two weeks. At this point, it appears unlikely that Anderson will play in the Broncos season finale on Sunday, which led to the team elevating offensive tackle Will Sherman to the 53-man roster earlier this week.
Offensive guard Quinn Meinerz improved from not participating in Wednesday’s practice to being limited on Thursday. Meinerz is dealing with a foot issue but is making good progress. Earlier this week the Broncos placed Dalton Risner, who was presented with the 2022 Darrent Williams Good Guy Award, on season-ending injured reserve.
Denver’s tight end group is banged up entering the final week of the season with Eric Saubert (knee) and Eric Tomlinson (ankle) missing two consecutive days of practice. Hybrid fullback/tight end Andrew Beck has been limited for the past two practices with an elbow injury but has moved well during practice this week. Rookie tight end Greg Dulcich’s season ended last week after being placed on injured reserve which leaves Albert Okwuegbunam and practice squad tight end Dalton Keene as two healthy options this week.
At wide receiver, Kendall Hinton did not participate for two consecutive days in a row as he deals with a chest and foot injury. If he is a limited participant on Friday, his chances of playing Sunday will increase. Jerry Jeudy was limited for the second consecutive day in a row with an ankle designation that has been impacting him for the last several weeks. Jeudy appears as if he’ll be good to go on Sunday.
For Denver defensively, defensive tackle D.J. Jones (knee), and outside linebacker Jonathan Kongbo (illness) did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Jones has missed two consecutive days of practice with his injury while Kongbo’s status will be re-evaluated on Friday.
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Rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis has made some progress within the NFL’s concussion protocol as he improved from not participating in Wednesday’s practice to being limited on Thursday. After missing Wednesday’s practice, defensive lineman Mike Purcell (elbow/ankle) returned on a limited basis on Thursday. Cornerback K’Waun Williams (knee) did not participate on Wednesday but returned as a limited participant on Thursday.
After missing Sunday’s game with back spasms, Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning was a full participant on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. If Browning doesn’t experience any setbacks he’ll be in line to return on Sunday against the Chargers opposite of Jonathon Cooper.
The Denver Broncos are hoping to enter Sunday’s season finale as healthy as possible and exit with a clean bill of health as they prepare for an off-season forecasted to be impacted by widespread changes.