Denver Broncos Injuries Create Opportunities for Reserve Players

The Denver Broncos currently sit as the second seed in the AFC. They have worked hard to earn their 10-2 record, but they have not gone through the 2015-16 NFL season unscathed.

In Week 13 against the San Diego Chargers, the Broncos entered the game without three key starters on defense: DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward and Sylvester Williams.

They were able to beat the Chargers 17-3, but they ended up with a few more injured players—on both sides of the ball.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak knows the team’s injury list is so long, it reads like Infinite Jest.

“I told [Vice President of Public Relations] Patrick [Smyth] that it’s pretty long today. I could probably answer questions as we go if you guys want to bring some names up. Obviously [TE Vernon] Davis and [ILB] Danny [Trevathan] are in concussion protocol. That hasn’t changed.” Kubiak continued, “[S] David Bruton [Jr], I’ve seen some reports out there, but the bottom line is that we feel very fortunate with David. I think he’s in a day-to-day process. We’ll see how he does.”

Injuries have created opportunities for reserve players. Here are some guys the Broncos could be turning to even more as they head into the final four games of the season.

RB Juwan Thompson

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The Broncos are running the ball more often—and more effectively—with Brock Osweiler in at quarterback. Ronnie Hillman has been the starting running back for over a month, and he’s got the speed to gash defenses for big gains—if he gets a hole blocked properly in front of him.

C.J. Anderson began the season as the starter, but an ankle injury from Week 1 caused him to lose effectiveness and lose his starting job. Anderson has looked healthy and effective as a reserve back in recent weeks, but against the Chargers his ankle injury came back.

Kubiak gave an update on Anderson’s injury on Monday.

“He took a pretty good blow on his ankle. He’s had some ankle issues in the past. I think there probably—had we not had the other two, I think he could have tried to maybe fight through some of it. He’s very sore today, so I would say that he’s day-to-day as we go into the week.”

Anderson’s ankle injury opened the door for Juwan Thompson this past Sunday. Thompson is a good all-purpose back, and he’s got the power to grind down opponents as the game goes on. If Anderson misses any time in practice (or on Sundays), then Thompson can easily play—and produce—in a power/change-of-pace role.

TE Virgil Green

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The Broncos have a seriously underrated player at tight end in Virgil Green, and with Vernon Davis in the concussion protocol, we could see Green doing more on Sundays. Earlier this year, the Broncos decided to get Green a new contract and also sign veteran Owen Daniels in free agency.

Green hasn’t been used much as a receiver even though he was a fine receiving weapon at Nevada for his college quarterback Colin Kaepernick. A seventh-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft, Green worked hard to become a great blocker—and today that’s what he’s counted on to do most.

Kubiak explained that giving Daniels a rest in practice could give more practice reps for Green.

“We're playing a lot more two-tights and some base stuff that we wanted to do. I think taking some reps off of Owen, [TE] Virgil [Green] is an everyday worker—Owen practices two out of the three days ever week, and I think it's helping him.” Kuibak explained, “I kind of did the same thing with him in Baltimore last year when I had him, and he played really well at the end of the season. Hopefully we're trending in that direction.”

Green could do more as a receiver if the team ever needed him to. In the meantime, Davis will work through the concussion protocol in an effort to return to the field ASAP.

CB Bradley Roby

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The safety position is going to look different going forward. Strong safety T.J. Ward missed the game against the Chargers with a high-ankle sprain suffered in the Week 9 game against the Patriots. His replacement for the Chargers game, David Bruton, was lost in Week 13 to a knee problem.

Kubiak says the lack of depth at safety is a problem.

“That’s a concern right now with [S] T.J. [Ward]. He’s probably still going to take some time here to get back even though he’s doing very well. [It’s a concern] with David’s issue. We signed [S Josh] Bush.” Kubiak continued, “It’s going to be a week-to-week process for us, getting to next Sunday and finding a way to be ready to be our best against the Raiders. We have some issues to deal with and we’re trying not to get too far ahead right now. We’ll get to Wednesday and get back to work.”

They could end up using nickel corner Bradley Roby at safety due to all these injuries. The team had a plan to do that before the season started, but Ward and Darian Stewart have played most of the snaps at the safety spot in 2015.

“Roby has played the position because we do a lot of the three corners on the field stuff. I think there are some things that we can look at, too. Obviously, [CB Lorenzo] Doss has to get in this mix.” Kubiak summarized, “There could be some maneuvering there as we get to game day, but that’s kind of part of the process right now.”

The depth is getting thin at safety, and that’s why the team may start plucking Roby from the cornerback position to fill a need in the secondary.

LBs Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray

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With DeMarcus Ware out with a back injury, the Broncos have turned to linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray in his place. Ware warmed up before the game against the Chargers, but the team decided to shut him down for at least one more game.

Barrett is a second-year undrafted free agent who came out of Colorado State in 2014. He has a nose for the football, and Barrett can get to the quarterback in a hurry. In addition to taking down the passer, Barrett has a knack for creating turnovers and forcing fumbles.

Ray was the team’s first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. He has good snap anticipation and gets off the line of scrimmage in a hurry. Ray lacks a ton of pass-rushing moves, but he does have a good closing burst to the quarterback. He arrives at the ball-carrier with natural violence.

Kubiak appreciates the development of these two pass-rushers.

“I think that they’re growing as players now. Shaq has played a lot. Shane is starting to play a lot through DeMarcus’ situation. We didn’t blitz much yesterday. We were kind of just bringing our four and we did a good job of pushing the pocket which was part of our game plan.”

Kubiak praised Ray, “I think Shane is starting to grow as a player. His effort is very consistent now and chasing the ball, doing those type of things. As those guys get better and we get DeMarcus back, we should only get stronger.”

Ware should return soon, but the team doesn’t have to rush him back with the way that Barrett and Ray are playing.

QB Brock Osweiler

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The Broncos continue to insist that they’re working to get Peyton Manning healthy and ready to return later this year. For the last three games, Brock Osweiler has been the starter, and the team has responded well. Osweiler’s time as the starter has provided the team with the spark they needed after dropping back-to-back games when Manning was at the helm.

On Monday, Kubiak gave an update on Manning.

“Peyton worked hard through the weekend and worked hard today. I just got done talking to [Head Athletic Trainer Steve] Greek [Antonopulos]. I think tomorrow is kind of a rest day for him.”

Kubiak says that Osweiler will once again start this week. “Nothing will change this week as far as [QB] Brock [Osweiler] is our starter in what we’re doing. The thought is that maybe starting Wednesday, depending on how things go, [Manning will] start to throw, we start to do a little bit on the field type of stuff. We’re working toward some football things this week, but it has been a good weekend for him and I know he’s feeling better.”

Manning has been working diligently for a chance to return as the team’s starter. The Broncos are going to have a tough decision in the near future with the way that Osweiler is playing. The team is undefeated with Osweiler under center, and the team is running the true Kubiak system. If Manning returns, it could disrupt the chemistry the team has built in his absence.

Osweiler will be “the man” for the team until that decision needs to be made. So long as he keeps playing well—Osweiler should be able to hold on to his starting job.

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.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.