If Emmanuel Sanders Is Limited (or Out), Who Can the Broncos Turn to on Offense?

The Denver Broncos want to get back on the winning track this week as they return home to face the Kansas City Chiefs. They are going to be playing without two Pro Bowl players on the defensive side, as Aqib Talib (suspension) and DeMarcus Ware (back) are out. The Broncos may also be without a Pro Bowl player on offense, as wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is dealing with an ankle injury suffered in last week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

In fact, Sanders suffered the injury on the first play of the game. He returned shortly after that, and was on the field for a season-low 43 snaps. However, Sanders did post six catches for 90 yards and one touchdown against the Colts, showing off his trademark toughness and speed throughout the game.

This week, Sanders did not participate in practice. He wasn’t even limited for a single day. Instead, there was a “DNP” next to Sanders' name on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

His status for the game against the Chiefs is very much in question.

"

Sanders questionable -- game time decision. Ware out.

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 13, 2015"

Sanders is listed as “questionable” on the injury report. Per NFL guidelines, that designation means he’s got a 50/50 chance of playing. Without practicing this week, Sanders may be on the doubtful side of questionable. He may miss this game against the Chiefs, or Sanders could be quite limited on the field if he plays on Sunday.

If Sanders is limited or out, who can the Broncos turn to on offense? Let’s take a look.

Bennie Fowler

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos might want to give a longer look to Bennie Fowler. The second-year player from Michigan State has flashed briefly this year in a very limited role. Fowler burst onto the NFL scene earlier this year with a four-catch, 50-yard performance in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions. On the season, Fowler has 11 catches for 150 yards.

If called upon, Fowler could do more.

Fowler was undrafted coming out of Michigan State in 2014, and he spent his rookie season on the Broncos practice squad. He played well as a rookie in training camp, but the team wanted him to develop his skill set during his first year.

He’s a big, physical receiver with size to regularly run through arm tackles. His best asset may be his run-after-the-catch ability. Additionally, Fowler is incredibly fast and can get by unsuspecting defenders who don’t realize such a large receiver could be that fast.

Fowler is a much different receiver from Sanders, but both of them have deep speed. That asset could be what makes Fowler the player the Broncos look to if Sanders is down or limited.

Jordan Norwood

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The team’s slot receiver this year has been Jordan Norwood. In his first year with the Broncos (2014), Norwood was on track to make the final roster until a knee injury ended his year in training camp. This season, Norwood bounced back in a big way and showed many of the same skills that he flashed last year. This earned him a spot on the 53-man roster, and he has steadily moved up the depth chart in 2015.

Going with more Norwood may be in the Broncos plans on Sunday.

The diminutive veteran has bounced around the league since he came out of Penn State as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He’s a small receiver, but he’s crafty on the football field. Norwood knows how to use subtle moves to get open on underneath routes. Even though he doesn’t have a large wingspan, Norwood has no problem sacrificing his body to go “all out” in order to make a catch.

Player	Snaps	Targets	Receptions	Yards
Demaryius Thomas	456	93	61	745
Emmanuel Sanders	480	80	46	639
Jordan Norwood	229	18	11	80
Bennie Fowler	98	14	11	150
Andre "Bubba" Caldwell	117	10	6	51
Cody Latimer	61	1	0	0

Norwood has the most targets of any wide receiver on the team not named Sanders or Demaryius Thomas. It’s logical to assume that Norwood could be the man more involved on Sunday if Sanders is out or not quite himself.

Vernon Davis

If Sanders is down, the Broncos could replace the vertical element to their passing game with tight end Vernon Davis. In his first game with the Broncos last week, we caught a glimpse of how Davis could help this team as a vertical weapon.

NFL.com - Game Rewind

On his lone target of the game, Davis ran a “9” route straight down the sideline. At the snap, Davis was given a six-yard cushion by Colts safety Colt Anderson. Davis runs past Anderson, but he’s unable to snare the pass (in part because of the pass interference from Anderson that was not called). The pass traveled about 37 yards in the air, and seeing Davis fly down the field should’ve given Broncos fans chills.

NFL.com - Game Rewind

Going deep more often with more snaps and more targets could be in the cards for Davis this weekend.

Davis is one of the fastest players on the offensive side of the ball with the Broncos, and he measures in at a whopping 6’3” and 250 pounds. There are few linebackers who can stay with Davis on downfield routes. Opposing defenses can put a safety on Davis, but they will always lose in the size battle.

His ability to dominate at the point of the catch—plus his strength after the catch—makes Davis an attractive option for Manning.

Summary

We won’t know if Sanders is going to play until right before kickoff on Sunday. The team will work him out on the field before the game to determine whether or not he can give it a go.

Fowler might be the most exciting option out of the other receivers the Broncos could use. His size/speed combination makes him an intriguing prospect, and he’s worked hard this year to earn a larger role.

Norwood has the ability to get open in cramped space. While other receivers may stretch the field better, Norwood has fearlessness when running routes over the middle. His ability on underneath routes could help move the chains on Sunday.

Davis is likely to get worked more into the offense going forward. Even though he’s listed as a tight end, Davis is really just a big receiver (in addition to being a great blocker). Davis creates mismatches all over the field, and using him more on vertical routes on the outside (like Sanders runs) might be a good call for the Broncos.

Sanders may be able to play, and he could possibly play through the game with this ankle injury just like he did last week. He could also produce through this injury in a similar fashion to what he did against the Colts.

Conversely, Sanders might not be able to play at full speed and the team could use him as some sort of decoy. However, Sanders may not be able to play and this clearly opens the door of opportunity for other guys on the roster.

No matter what happens with Sanders on Sunday, the Broncos have quality options to turn to in case of emergency.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.