Injury Bug Bites Broncos Hard, Early Again, Could Be Denver's Downfall

Three big-name offensive players were hurt on Sunday, in Kyle Orton, Eddie Royal, and Chris Kuper—OK maybe Kuper isn’t the biggest name on the list, but his production was huge last year as he started all 16 games.

But in Royal, who is currently the No. 1 receiver, and especially Orton, the newly acquired quarterback, the Broncos will suffer if either are out for an extended period of time.

Royal and Kuper seem to be fine, but there is no telling for sure from the Broncos due to Josh McDaniels’ hiding the true nature of the injuries calling them simply “lower” and “upper extremity injuries.” So now, a shroud of mystery cloaks injuries in Denver.

Though, according to Fox 31 Denver, two sources revealed that Kuper “has just a high ankle sprain.” Royal reentered the game, an indication that he should be OK.

As for Orton, while the injury was described as “not fractured” by two league sources, it was severely dislocated and teammates could reportedly hear Orton scream as it was popped back into place. According to Pro Football Talk, Orton’s bone was so badly dislocated it sliced through his flesh, from the inside.

Orton’s injury could be the most serious concern, as he has already been named the starter by McDaniels. And backup QB Chris Simms injured an ankle last week against the Seahawks, and his timetable for return is two to four weeks. Because of his injury, rookie Tom Brandstater was forced into the starter’s role for the entire second half Sunday.

Remarkably, two more Broncos were injured in the past week, fullback Peyton Hillis had his knee banged on the ground hard when he was tackled against the Bears. He didn’t seem too hurt though, and should be fine.

Also, No. 3 receiver Jabbar Gaffney broke the thumb on his left hand last Friday, and his timetable for return is four to six weeks.

Beyond those big names, there are numerous others injured, or at least hurt as well. First-round draft pick and favorite at starting running back, Knowshon Moreno, injured his knee in the first preseason game. According to Fox 31 again, he returned to practice today, and the team is hopeful he will return in time for the Sept. 13 season opener against Cincinnati.

Big-time free agent signee, Brian Dawkins, broke his hand in training camp, and finally got his first football action this Sunday. Champ Bailey pulled a groin in this preseason, a big scare as he missed seven games last year due to the same injury. Luckily he was OK and continued to play, and was in top shape again Sunday.

Finally, at the end of this huge list, LaMont Jordan has an injury in the metatarsal area of his foot, which sounds familiar to a “turf toe.”

So, after losing a ridiculous seven running backs to the Injured Reserve list in ‘08, Denver’s four best runners are already hurt in ’09. Add in the loss of Ryan Torrain to the IR and cut from the team, and it’s five for the Broncos.

Sad but true, if you look at it this way, with Orton, Royal, Kuper, Moreno, and Hillis hurt, and Brandon Marshall a huge question mark, the Broncos have more starters out of the lineup than in it.

Though, there is a ray of sunshine still creeping over the rocky mountains, as the sun has not set on Denver’s season before it has began, yet. Perhaps the most promising news about almost all of the aforementioned injuries is that most are not too severe and many of the players will be ready for the season opener in two weeks. Although, in some instances, it seems more like well-wishing by the Broncos’ franchise rather than the real facts.

Basically though, the Broncos should be OK, and even if they miss a starter or two in Cincinnati, if they are back in Week Two or Three, then Denver fans will be able to breathe easy again. At receiver, the Broncos are deep, so Marshall and Gaffney don’t necessarily mean downfall for Denver. Likewise, as long as the Broncos can get some production out of two of their four best running backs, they should be fine. But if Orton misses time making Brandstater the starter, and Denver misses Marshall and Gaffney, and Moreno and Hillis, it would almost certainly spell the complete and utter downfall for Denver in 2009.

In all, the Broncos will not be competing for the Super Bowl this year likely, and if there was ever a good time for the injury bug to bite, 2009 seems to be the best one.