The Broncos’ special teams have required several re-shuffles due to injury this season.
Receiver Cody Latimer, who doubles as the kickoff specialist, has been out for the past two games and will remain inactive for Sunday against the Chargers. He injured his knee in week three against the Bills, and has not yet been able to make a return to the active roster.
Meanwhile, Isaiah McKenzie, the team’s punt return specialist, sustained a sprained ankle against the Giants that removed him from the game. McKenzie has also been ruled out against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rookie cornerback Brendan Langley will take over kickoff return duties for the Broncos, while newly promoted wide receiver Hunter Sharp becomes the punt return specialist.
Langley was drafted in the third round (101st overall), by the Broncos. He has been active in three games, on the field for a little more than half of the special teams plays, and has been in the kickoff return game behind McKenzie during Latimer’s absence against the Raiders and the Giants.
Sharp, a second-year player, was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 as a college free agent. He was waived by the Eagles after a preseason hamstring injury and was eventually signed to the Broncos’ practice squad in week 17 of the 2016 season. Sharp was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Wednesday.
Langley and Sharp now have to step up to bigger roles, with McKenzie and Latimer ruled out for at least this week.
“The key is to overcome injury with your depth and with your players and to overcome adversity by staying with the process,” said head coach Vance Joseph. “We can’t panic and we can’t blame. We have to do more — coaches and players. It’s here, so let’s deal with it and get through it.”
Wide receiver Jordan Taylor was named the backup for both Langley and Sharp. Taylor was a backup returner last season, behind Jordan Norwood. Taylor saw one punt last season, which he received with a fair catch.
For emergency purposes, the Broncos also have Aqib Talib available, who has had two attempts in his career with both the Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for a total of one yard. While not listed on the depth chart officially, Talib is an option, should the worst happen.
There is still no timetable for Latimer or McKenzie to return, but in the meantime, Langley and Sharp look to step up and help the Broncos overcome their recent injury challenges — and perhaps make names for themselves in the process.
Langley and Sharp will begin their special teams runs Sunday against the Chargers in Los Angeles at 2:25 p.m.
