What Danny Trevathan's Expected Return Means for Denver Broncos Defense

During the offseason, the Denver Broncos made a series of high-profile moves in order to bolster the defensive side of the football.

Adding the likes of Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and DeMarcus Ware has helped Denver improve in some areas through the first month of the season. For instance, the unit is currently ranked 13th in scoring defense, allowing 22.3 points per game. It was ranked 22nd and allowed 24.9 points per game in 2013.

Unfortunately, the Broncos defense has actually taken a step back in its ability to defend the pass through the first three games (Denver was on its bye in Week 4) of the season. After allowing an average of 254.4 yards per game through the air (27th in the NFL) a season ago, the unit is currently allowing 285.3 yards a contest (ranked 31st).

The team also ranks 27th in total yards allowed (390.7 per game) after ranking 19th (356.0) in 2013.

	Points	Rush Yards	Pass Yards	Total Yards
2013 Season	24.9	101.6	254.4	356.0
2014 Through Week 4	22.3	105.3	285.3	390.7

It is important to remember, however, that the Broncos are only three games into their 2014 campaign, and there is plenty of time for the retooled unit to gel (and the early-season bye should help).

It is also important to recognize that the Broncos have been playing without one of their top defenders—outside linebacker Danny Trevathan.

Trevathan has been sidelined all year with a tibia fracture that he suffered back in August. He was Denver's leading tackler (129 combined stops) and one of the league's better 4-3 linebackers a season ago.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Trevathan was the league's 11th-best 4-3 outside linebacker for the 2013 season. He was also ranked 17th at his position in pass coverage and 12th in pass rushing.

His replacement for the first three games this season, Brandon Marshall, has performed admirably. However, Marshall is not the same caliber of all-around player as Trevathan. 

Marshall is currently ranked 23rd overall among 4-3 outside linebackers by Pro Football Focus and 21st in pass coverage.

The good news is that Trevathan is expected to return to the playing field this Sunday, when the Broncos host the Arizona Cardinals.

"

Broncos vs. Cardinals Injury Report :Danny Trevathan's probable, Drew Stanton will start for Carson Palmer - http://t.co/AXG8tIEwIE #Broncos

— Denver Broncos (@fans_broncos) October 4, 2014"

His return should help Denver's new-look defense to continue to improve in a variety of ways. In addition to providing a boost to the Broncos' pass defense, Trevathan's ability to diagnose plays and flow to the ball-carrier should allow the unit to improve in all phases.

His return will also help provide defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio with a little more versatility at the weak-side linebacker position.

Now that Marshall has some extensive playing (and starting) experience under his belt, Del Rio has a pair of solid rotational options at the position. He will be able to switch between Marshall and Trevathan in order to maximize each player's strengths and to keep a fresh body on the field.

JACK DEMPSEY/Associated Press

Trevathan's ability to hold his own in pass coverage may also allow Del Rio to utilize more linebacker coverage against tight ends and running backs, freeing up strong safety Ward for other assignments. According to Pro Football Focus, Ward currently ranks just 49th among safeties in pass coverage.

Perhaps the biggest boost to be gained from Trevathan's return, however, is the attitude and passion he brings to the defensive side of the football. These are characteristics that cannot be measured by numbers but are certainly felt by teammates.

"It's a huge deal having Danny back. Danny's a feisty guy," said defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, via Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post.

Trevathan's leadership is also a major boon to the Denver defense, as linebacker Von Miller recently explained, via Renck:

"

Danny's attitude is his leadership. It definitely helps. The other guys did well, but what Danny brings is totally different. It doesn't matter how big you are, he's going to hit you. The way he plays boosts the whole defense.

"

Expect a more aggressive, more confident and more impassioned Denver defense coming off the bye week and moving forward.

With last season's leading tackler back in the fold, also expect a more efficient group on the defensive side of the football, starting this Sunday against Arizona.