Denver Broncos Release Injury Report Ahead Of AFC Championship Game
After a week of the Denver Broncos teasing us with optimism, limited practices, and that specific brand of hope that only exists in the playoffs, the other shoe finally dropped on Friday afternoon. And it landed right on our collective toes. Running Back J.K. Dobbins has been officially ruled out for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
Dobbins, who has been fighting his way back from a foot injury since early November, looked like he was on the verge of a cinematic comeback. He was designated to return from IR. He was out there practicing, and the vibes were undeniably good. Even the local beat writers were sensing a return.
But the NFL is a cruel business, and recovery timelines don’t care about your Super Bowl dreams. Despite the progress, the Broncos decided the veteran back just wasn’t ready for the intensity of a Championship Sunday. So, the ground game is going to have to figure it out without him.
It’s Officially “Stiddy Time” In Denver
Let’s address the elephant in the room. With Bo Nix already shelved with that broken ankle, the keys to the Ferrari have been handed to Jarrett Stidham.
Stidham isn’t exactly a household name nationally, but inside the locker room? The guy has swagger. The Kentucky native strolled into practice this week with the confidence of a guy who owns the place. He even coined it “Stiddy Time.”
He’s going to need every ounce of that confidence. Facing a Bill Belichick-less Patriots team is one thing, but it’s still the Patriots in January. Stidham said his preparation hasn’t changed one bit, and frankly, it better not have. The Broncos are rallying around him, saying they want to win this one for Nix. They need Stidham to be more than just a game manager if they want to book a flight to the Super Bowl.
A Mixed Bag For the Broncos Receiving Corps
It’s not all doom and gloom on the injury report. There is a legitimate silver lining for the passing attack.
Wide Receiver Pat Bryant has cleared concussion protocol. After a scary exit against the Bills where he only saw three snaps, Bryant didn’t even get an injury designation for Sunday. That means he is fully cleared and ready to rock. Having him back on the perimeter gives Stidham a reliable target he desperately needs.
However, the other side of the formation is a bit murkier. Wide Receiver Troy Franklin is officially listed as questionable with a hamstring issue. He was limited all week, so even if he suits up, you have to wonder if he’ll have that explosive gear we’re used to seeing.
The Trenches: A Cause For Concern?
Denver’s offensive line is dealing with some bumps and bruises at the worst possible time. We’ve got a “questionable” tag on not one, but two centers. Luke Wattenberg (shoulder) and Alex Forsyth (ankle) are both banged up. Wattenberg was a full participant in practice, which is a great sign, but he still needs to be activated from IR to play.
If you’re starting a backup quarterback, the last thing you want is instability at the snap. The chemistry between center and QB is vital, and shuffling guys around on the offensive line against a defense playing for a conference title is. less than ideal. Safety JL Skinner is also questionable with a quad injury, adding a little stress to the defensive backfield.
The Mile High Factor
Despite the injury list looking like a CVS receipt, the vibe in the city is electric. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, who was just named a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year, has this defense playing out of its mind. With Nik Bonitto (also an award finalist) hunting QBs, the Broncos arguably have the defensive firepower to make life miserable for New England, regardless of who is playing quarterback or running back for Denver.
