The Denver Broncos were hit hard by injuries during Saturday’s 33-30 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.
Starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury that will require surgery on Tuesday. That leaves Jarrett Stidham as the next man up as Denver’s new starting quarterback as they prepare to host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game next weekend.
In addition to Nix, at least three other Broncos players suffered injuries on Saturday.
Denver wide receiver Pat Bryant left with a concussion in the first quarter. Bryant posted “I’m back spinning 😈” on his Instagram story, which is hopefully a good sign, but after two concussions in less than a month, Bryant is no guarantee to be available for the AFC title game.
Fellow receiver Troy Franklin left in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and center Alex Forsyth left with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter.
“Both teams were nicked up,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said after the game. “They were nicked up coming in, and we got nicked up quick. Pat is out, and then pretty soon Troy Franklin’s out, and then you’re down to three receivers. We took [Marvin] Mims off kick return after that happened.”
We should learn more about the severity of the Franklin and Forsyth injuries when Denver returns to practice on Wednesday. That will also be a significant day for running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) and center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder), who remain on injured reserve but were spotted doing rehab work on a side field at practice last week.
With Forsyth ailing, a potential Wattenberg return would be great timing, and after losing Nix, getting Dobbins back would provide a huge boost to the offense. It remains to be seen, however, if either player is ready to return to practice. The Super Bowl was initially mentioned as the best-case scenario for a potential Dobbins return target, but Payton (and Dobbins himself) have since hinted at a potential AFC title game return.
If the Broncos are going to activate Dobbins or Wattenberg (or both) from IR in time for the Patriots game, the first step would be a return to practice. All eyes now turn to Wednesday’s injury report.
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