DeMarcus Ware is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a back injury, and rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo has already missed the last two games with a bum shoulder. With those two starters being the exception, the Denver Broncos have remained relatively healthy during their five-game winning streak to begin the season.
But Aqib Talib also missed snaps on Sunday against Oakland and other members of the offensive line have been spelled to keep them at their best.
As the season progresses, more and more players will start to show up on the injury report; it is the nature of the beast in the NFL. While there is a difference between being hurt and being injured, reserve players are starting to make their mark with the team.
Here are the 10 most-capable backup players for the Broncos. Some have already made an impact, and some certainly have the potential to, especially if the offense continues to struggle.
No. 10 – Michael Schofield
Schofield is finally getting an opportunity to prove himself since being an afterthought by the John Fox regime after they spent a third round draft pick on him in 2014. With the shoulder injury to Sambrialo, Schofield has stepped into a starter role at right guard.
According to the Pro Football Focus rankings, Schofield has not necessarily impressed with his -2.7 mark in his two starts. However, that number is significantly higher than the other two tackles who have played with Sambrailo and Ryan Harris receiving -10.3 and -9.7, respectively.
Schofield was passable against an average rush by Minnesota, but was owned by the Raiders to the tune of one sack and five hurries on Peyton Manning. Denver’s lack of confidence in Schofield forced them to go out and pick up Tyler Polumbus following Week 4. Schofield’s performance in Week 5 didn’t do much to instill confidence that he should play significant snaps in Week 6.
No. 9 – Brock Osweiler
Peyton Manning has been the buzz around town, and not in a good way. The 18-year vet is posting some of the worst numbers of his career. Even with the Broncos sitting undefeated, with only the Cleveland Browns standing in their way before the bye week, there have already been calls for Osweiler to begin getting some playing time.
Osweiler has the athleticsm to run the bootleg in Gary Kubiak’s offense which could open up options for the running game. He also has a much stronger arm than Manning to open up the deep passing game.
But, as Doug Ottewill pointed out in Tuesday’s Daily column, the backup is seldom the answer for a struggling offense. Brock may be the future, but he could cost the Broncos a playoff appearance now if Gary Kubiak makes the same rash decision Mike Shanahan did with Jake Plummer and Jay Cutler.
No. 8 – Bennie Fowler
There isn’t a measurement of will, but Fowler has a lot of it. The undrafted rookie out of Michigan State was a training camp darling and has parlayed that into getting playing time with the Broncos offense.
The Broncos are still looking to solidify the third receiver option with the departure of Wes Welker and the tight ends’ complete inability to get open this season. Fowler isn’t the prototypical slot guy, but he gives the Broncos another weapon. On the year, Fowler has seven receptions for 107 yards, and if Demaryius Thomas continues to drop passes, expect Fowler’s targets to keep going up.
Fowler will continue to split time with Jordan Norwood, for now, but more performances like he had against Oakland and Minnesota and he could be the primary No. 3 sooner than later.
No. 7 – Max Garcia
While the struggles of the offensive line have been well documented, Garcia was one of the bright spots through the preseason. He only lost his starting job when the Broncos signed former All-Pro Evan Mathis. Garcia has the versatility to play virtually any position on the offensive line which increases his value.
Mathis and fellow guard Louis Vasquez are both dealing with minor injuries and Garcia could continue to see more playing time if their injuries linger, or worse, escalate. As the offensive line continues to evolve, there isn’t a starter who is safe and Garcia appears to be capable as he continues to wait on his opportunities.
His seven snaps on Sunday against Oakland rated poorly, but so did the rest of the young linemen. Having adapted to multiple position changes while at Florida, we’re confident he can adapt to the NFL game if given more snaps.
No. 6 – Juwan Thompson
Thompson is the only offensive player who is on the cusp of being in the top-5 of this list. Really, the only thing holding him back are his own injuries.
Over the past three seasons, the running back who was first on the depth chart when training camp broke was not the same back who put up the best stats. C.J. Anderson didn’t make his mark until Week 10 when he rushed for 90 yards and recorded 73 yards receiving against the Raiders. As Thompson gets healthy, he should find himself much more involved, and may turn out to be the best back on the team.
But in order to do that, he has to stay on the field. On Monday, Gary Kubiak said he planned to get Thompson more involved in Sunday’s game, but a hamstring injury limited that plan. Thompson needs to stay healthy or he’ll slide down this list fast.
No. 5 – Shane Ray
Coming off the bench, Ray has contributed nicely, tacking on two sacks to the Broncos remarkable total of 22, which is tops in the NFL.
The Broncos first-round pick will continue to play an important role, especially with Ware out with his back injury. Even when Ware returns to action, the ability to rotate pass rushers in the game, and keep them all fresh, will be pivotal as it gets later in the season.
Ray’s snap count and productivity have increased with each game. He’ll have another chance to make an impact in a larger role against Cleveland. With most all of the Browns’ attention on stopping Von Miller, Ray could have a breakout game.
No. 4 – Vance Walker
Walker has been one of the most underrated additions to the Broncos this year. Looking at the stat sheet doesn’t quite do justice to the role Walker has played. Yes, he only has recorded seven tackles, but he has been doing a great job of taking on blockers, allowing the linebackers to step up and make the plays.
The defensive line was an area of concern entering the season. With Walker being a steady rotational player, along with the guy coming in at No. 3, the line has actually become a strength for the Denver defense.
Walker showed that Denver could survive the absence of a key d-lineman during Derek Wolfe’s four-game PED suspension, and as a result has made himself a part of the regular rotation on what is shaping up to be a very formidable run defense.
No. 3 – Antonio Smith
After a shaky start to his Broncos tenure, Smith has become a valuable member of the defensive line. Smith has not only been able to generate a pass rush up the middle with a sack against Alex Smith of the Chiefs in Week 2, he has also been able to disrupt opposing quarterbacks by knocking down two balls at the line.
Along with Walker, Smith gives the Broncos much-needed depth along their defensive front to compliment starters Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson. By consuming interior linemen, they are allowing their outside pass rushers to face more one-on-one situations, and the linebackers to come in and stop the run.
With his reported legal issues behind him, Smith has assumed a quiet veteran leadership role and continues to contribute on a defense that is climbing to new heights almost weekly.
No. 2 – David Bruton
As a seven-year vet, Bruton is now having his most impactful season with the Denver Broncos. Without getting his hand in the way of Crockett Gilmore, Darian Stewart doesn’t make the game winning interception for the Broncos in Week 1 against the Ravens.
Bruton has also forced a fumble and made a spectacular interception of his own against Matt Stafford and the Lions to seal another Broncos victory. Playing at the high level he is, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips now has even more options of how to use different combinations in the secondary.
It’s been a long road for David Bruton, but his hard work is finally paying off and he’s delivering beyond just on special teams. Bruton is finally showing what a special player he can be.
No. 1 – Shaq Barrett
Entering OTA’s and training camp, it was uncertain if Barrett would even make the Broncos roster, what with the loaded depth they had at outside linebacker. It didn’t take long once the preseason started for everyone to see what kind of talent the former CSU Ram possesses.
Barrett has already recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles in just five games. Many are already dubbing him “Sack” Barrett. His ability has forced opposing offenses to account for him when he is on the field. With Ware out, Barrett will likely be the starter and the Broncos won’t miss a beat with Von Miller holding down the other side of the field.
Perhaps the best news about Barrett is that the Broncos have him under contract for another year beyond 2015. Even if Ware’s snaps are limited to preserve his health, Denver looks like it will still challenge for NFL sack records this year and next, largely because of backup players like Barrett