The Denver Broncos will be short-handed against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 on “Thursday Night Football,” and at some critical positions, no less. Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw is one of five players the team ruled out in advance of the game.
Of that group, three players are full-time starters.
This is Greenlaw’s third bout with an injury since he signed with the Broncos this past offseason, and it is arguably secondary to some of the team’s other concerns.
Broncos Rule Out Dre Greenlaw, 4 Others for ‘Thursday Night Football’
GettyLuke Wattenberg #60 of the Denver Broncos on the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders.
With the short week, Greenlaw (hamstring) and several of his Broncos teammates were pressed for time to get healthy enough to return to practice and gain clearance to face the Chiefs on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 17.
Part of the issue is that the Broncos never had a full practice, opting instead for a series of walkthroughs before the game.
With that, none of the players listed as DNPs on the injury report progressed during the week.
Along with Greenlaw, the Broncos ruled out center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder) and wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion) among the full-time starters. Tight end Nate Adkins (knee) and backup linebacker Karene Reid, who is on injured reserve, will also miss Thursday’s game.
The Broncos designated Reid to return from IR on December 17. That gives them until January 7 to activate him or leave him on the season-ending reserve list.
Per The Denver Post’s Luca Evans on December 23, Greenlaw is not heading for IR.
Still, this is just the latest speed bump after his celebrated arrival. He signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract in free agency. He has played in eight games this season, and his timeline to return to the field from this setback remains unclear.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has offered little regarding injuries this season, sticking with the reported statuses.
The good news for the Broncos is that linebacker Justin Strnad practiced in full.
Strnad missed Week 16 due to a foot injury. However, he was able to log full sessions all week, albeit with the Broncos only conducting walkthroughs. He stepped in for the Broncos during Greenlaw and Alex Singleton’s absences this season.
The Chiefs are also dealing with a litany of injury concerns. The Broncos are 13.5-point favorites after a 4.5-point opening line, per Vegas Insider, as a result.
Broncos Facing Another Potential TE Absence
GettyAdam Trautman #82 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos added a new concern to the list aside from Greenlaw, who dealt with a quad injury earlier in the season. While minor in comparison to the others, it is also ominous for the Broncos.
The Broncos added starting tight end Adam Trautman to the injury report on Wednesday with an illness.
It is not an injury, but it threatens to sideline the underrated contributor nonetheless.
The Broncos should still be able to handle the depleted version of the Chiefs that they will face in Week 17. The Broncos will not face Patrick Mahomes or backup Gardner Minshew, but third-stringer Chris Oladokun.
Oladokun is confident in the Chiefs’ plan for the Broncos, but Denver presents a daunting challenge for the inexperienced QB even without Greenlaw and the others.
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