Danny Trevathan Injury Is Issue Broncos Can Work Around Due to Quality Depth

The Denver Broncos will once again be without linebacker Danny Trevathan, who continues to unfortunately suffer knee setbacks, for an extended period of time.

It is an unfortunate situation for all involved, but one the team has properly prepared for thanks to smart personnel moves over the years.

Trevathan, 24, missed the first four games of the season due to a knee issue, and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, he suffered another setback Sunday in an eventual win over the New York Jets:

DenverBroncos.com reporter Andrew Mason followed with a note from coach John Fox:

Trevathan was a key cog in the Broncos' ability to make it to the Super Bowl last season thanks to his 129 total tackles, two sacks, four forced fumbles and three interceptions. Over at Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he ranked as the No. 11 overall outside linebacker in the NFL last season, only behind elite names such as DeAndre Levy, Vontaze Burfict, Lavonte David and, among others, teammate Von Miller.

Upon his return a few weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals, Trevathan's impact was immediately felt, as he notched seven total tackles.

But those who are once again tasked with picking up production in his place have already done so quite well this year, which is a testament to the strong roster building going on by John Elway and Co. in the front office.

Most of the credit goes to fellow outside 'backer Brandon Marshall. The former Nevada star, who has worked his way up from the practice squad, picked up right where he left off Sunday after Trevathan's injury.

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“We switched the helmets out, and I called the signals just like I did before,” said Marshall, per Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. “It was an easier transition this time. the Colts game (in the season-opener), I am not going to lie I was a little nervous. This time the game wasn’t as fast. It slowed down for me.”

As Renck notes, the Broncos staff entrusts Marshall with the green-dot helmet due to his intricate knowledge of the defense. Well, that and his quality play—he continues to rank as the No. 20 overall 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL this season at PFF.

So while the injury hurts the unit, particularly in coverage, it is back to the same formula that the team employed to run up a 3-1 record before it.

Denver still ranks No. 16 overall against the pass with an average of 241.4 yards allowed per game. It ranks even better against the run, coming in as a top-five unit in the league with an average of just 76.8 yards allowed per game.

Keep in mind those impressive totals came against a schedule that included the potent offenses of Indianapolis and Seattle, the latter of which came on the road, both of which were sans Trevathan outright.

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Trevathan's presence in the lineup would have been great in the coming weeks, though. San Francisco and San Diego come to town the next two weeks before the team must take a trip to Foxborough for a date against Tom Brady and New England.

That is a brutal stretch in which the unit could use his skills in pass coverage, but it endured arguably an equally tough stretch to begin the year, too.

Obviously, Trevathan's return later in the season will provide a huge boon for the unit, even if it is just in the mental department. Comments from Miller as his teammate was set to return before Week 5 prove this enough, 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."

So the Broncos can rest easy knowing that the unit is in good hands for the interim, and things will only get better as the team enters the critical stretch of the season. When Trevathan does return once more, the unit will have two quality players at the same spot to rotate based on their strengths.

This scenario is yet another example of Denver representing how championship-caliber rosters should be constructed. For now, the defense figures to hold strong without one of its best players.