The Broncos have relied on their depth, especially on defense, this year (not to mention at quarterback), getting key contributions from second-teamers and beyond when the starters go down. But after Sunday’s win at San Diego, Denver might be looking at a game against the Raiders that puts even more reserves on the field.
Here’s a look at the Broncos’ Friday practice participation report prior to the game against the Chargers, courtesy of team PR:
For those not willing to do a line count, that’s four players who were out with injury, two who were questionable and 13 who were probable but suffering from injury two days before the game kicked off.
That list will likely grow again this week.
Denver lost running back C.J. Anderson at halftime with an ankle injury and tight end Vernon Davis at the same time. Davis was held out of the second half pursuant to the league’s concussion protocol.
The hits just kept coming in the second half, as the Broncos also lost linebacker Danny Trevathan, who scored on an interception in the first half, to a possible concussion. Then, David Bruton left the field with a leg injury in the fourth quarter. And the list grew beyond that. Omar Bolden was also hurt, pressing Josh Bush into service. Bush was signed earlier in the week to add depth because of the injured T.J. Ward.
What began as standard documentation of the injuries eventually grew into legitimate concern by the team at MHS and the Denver media at-large.
#Broncos with pair of big injuries at end of 1st half. CJ Anderson (ankle) and Vernon Davis (concussion) will not return this game.
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) December 6, 2015
Danny Trevathan being evaluated for a concussion. Not a good day on the injury front. #DENvsSD
— cover32 Broncos (@cover32_DEN) December 6, 2015
David Bruton Jr. is being treated on the field … @Broncos can't afford another injury to deplete their safety corps.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 6, 2015
Hate to see Bruton taken off. Good guy. And has done a fantastic job all year, on spec. teams AND at safety. Unheralded but big contributor
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) December 7, 2015
Broncos missing/losing a lot of their very good players today
— Paul Klee (@bypaulklee) December 7, 2015
By the end of the game, it was a long list of key figures on the injury report…
#Broncos injuries today:C.J. Anderson(ankle),Vernon Davis(concussion),Danny Trevathan(concussion),David Bruton (Knee),Omar Bolden(hamstring)
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) December 7, 2015
Denver’s reserves, guys like Bruton and Shaqil Barrett have filled in admirably for their injured teammates, but these injuries are piling up fast. That’s disconcerting for a team that will have its hands full with matchups against the Raiders, Steelers and Bengals before wrapping up the season against San Diego.
There was some good news, though, postgame. Anderson said he believes the injury won’t affect him beyond the San Diego game.
Not bad. He says he'll be fine. RT @markcn32: any idea of severity of CJs ankle injury?
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 7, 2015