2 min read • August 14, 2021
Posted in
Denver Broncos
QB Drew Lock -
The Mizzou product missed three games total last year, dealing with injuries that included an oblique/abdomen injury and a shoulder issue that many (including ESPN) thought was an AC Joint sprain. (We did not - While trying to escape a sack, Drew Lock landed on his right elbow and jammed his right throwing shoulder on the play. There is no long term issue here, and we are not concerned about damage to his throwing side. Lock did famously miss one game due to not following COVID protocols where his team was without any QBs, but one would imagine he will be more careful this season. He will be healthy for his battle for the starting job with free agent signing QB Teddy Bridgewater,
WR Courtland Sutton -
The star wideout tore his ACL in the second week of the season and missed the entire season. With the early injury and surgery, Sutton avoided PUP as camp started. He doesn't quite look 100% making cuts but will round his way into full form as the season goes. Sutton made some deep plays already in camp, and his big-receiver jump ball play style should benefit whoever is under center in the Mile High City.
OL Bobbie Massie -
The newly signed replacement for OT Ja'Wuan James was injured most of 2020 with an MCL sprain that caused him to be placed on IR and miss the last nine games including playoffs. In 2019, he suffered a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss the last five games of the season. Both of these injuries should be behind him, and the Broncos are banking on his ability to stabilize a position that has not had the same starter in back-to-back years in nearly a decade.
DL Mike Purcell -
The hulking defensive lineman suffered a Lisfranc injury Week 7 and proceeded to miss the rest of the season on IR, just after he signed a three-year, $14.8 Million extension as Denver’s premier nose tackle. The foot is fine but early in training camp he suffered an ankle sprain and is poised to return soon before any meaningful games.
LB Von Miller -
After Von Miller suffered an ankle injury at the end of camp last year, national reporters said he would miss the whole season. We felt he could return late from the peroneal tendon tear which Miller confirmed, but by December the Broncos were out of contention and there was no point to risking their star veteran. Miller has had his share of previous injuries including an ACL tear but is poised to be healthy and well rested coming into this season. While his production dropped in 2019, he could be set for a comeback year after being ready to play for almost 10 months.
LB Bradley Chubb -
The edge rusher missed the last two games of the season due to an ankle ailment, and is currently working his way back on a side field in practice. In 2019, the 5th overall pick suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and missed the rest of the season. Chubb was not 100% going into the 2020 season, but played well before the ankle injury. Chubb had minor surgery in the offseason on said ankle and missed OTAs. This should be a big year for him based on health with this being second year back after an ACL injury, as long as the ankle heals up nicely. The Broncos have relied on LB Malik Reed to fill in for injured pass rushers in back to back seasons, and he is more than capable of rotating in until Chubb is back to full speed.
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