Strike 1: “If we can just stay healthy” is one of the most frustrating things any fan can hear coming from any head coach. Not because it’s not true. In most cases, it’s not. Title contending teams have the depth to overcome injuries. But it just rarely happens that way. Every team has to contend with injuries, and when they do occur, they’re most often used as an excuse by teams that can’t measure up to their preseason hype.
This year, there isn’t a ton of preseason hype surrounding the Denver Broncos, even with the emergence of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Yes, optimism is higher than it was a month ago. Still, few expect the Broncos to have their first winning season since 2016 nor be part of this season’s playoff field.
But it won’t be because they couldn’t stay healthy. On that front, the Broncos might be the most improved team in the NFL.
Aside from an ankle injury (that wasn’t considered “significant” by the team after x-rays were negative) to backup defensive back Damarri Mathis on the second play from scrimmage on Sunday, the third and final preseason game for the Broncos played out just like the first two on the injury front: Very minimal. This season’s training camp – held at the newly and aptly named “Common Spirit Health” facility – and preseason games only saw backup offensive lineman Quinn Bailey suffer a season-ending injury. But all starters remain in good health. When is the last time that happened?
Some of it is good fortune of course, but not all of it. When head coach Sean Payton took over, he replaced the Broncos entire strength and conditioning program, including the staff, with one he felt could minimize preventable injuries. He must have been on to something. In his first season in Denver, the Broncos were able to stay remarkably healthy, including having the offensive line stay intact for virtually the entire season.
Again, when was the last time that happened?
And so far, it’s continued into his second season with the organization. Imagine if continuing good health is something that Payton can bring to Denver? Have it become a regular thing? Then the Broncos will be back battling for the AFC West title – and more – sooner than most of us think.
As for this year, there’s another added bonus for a team in rebuilding mode: At the backup quarterback position, for example, Denver has two healthy, NFL veteran signal callers, when they really only need one. At some point early in the season, another team is going to need a quarterback. The Broncos could make a trade from a position of strength and acquire something valuable in return for a change.
For those in Broncos Country who are now dreaming of a postseason run this year with Bo Nix at the helm, staying healthy during the regular season is an absolute must. Denver is not a deep team by any measure, especially at places like the offensive line. As good as the stats were against Arizona, the visitors’ reserves spent a whole lot of time in the Broncos backfield.
The preseason has shown good depth not only at quarterback – very few teams have three capable signal callers – and in other spots like the defensive backfield. But if an o-lineman or two go down, the Broncos are clearly in very serious trouble.
An undefeated preseason can mask a lot of things, including a lack of depth. Fortunately for the Broncos, this year’s squad doesn’t need a lot of masking. They are what they are, a rebuilding project that’s off to a really good start. If Payton can keep bringing in new and improved talent, and keep that talent healthy and productive, future regular seasons could start to look really good, too.