Broncos have three players ruled out for Sunday’s game against Bears

Posted on : 10/02/2023
Broncos have three players ruled out for Sunday’s game against Bears
NFL 

Denver didn’t get much good news on the injury front Friday.

After two days as a limited participant, veteran safety Justin Simmons (hip) did not practice on Friday. Despite the downgrade in practice status, the Broncos listed him as questionable to play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Also on the side field, the group that’s been there the entire week: inside linebacker Josey Jewell (hip/groin), outside linebacker Frank Clark (hip) and defensive lineman Mike Purcell (ribs). All three players have been ruled out.

Center Lloyd Cushenberry, meanwhile, began stretching but then walked to the locker room with a pair of trainers and did not return during the open period. Head coach Sean Payton said Cushenberry, who was later listed on the injury report as a limited participant due to an illness, should be fine. He did not have an injury designation for the game, meaning he’s expected to play.

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee), on the other hand, was a full participant at practice after being limited on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sanders set to start. With Jewell out, rookie inside linebacker Drew Sanders is set to start next to Alex Singleton in the middle of the Broncos’ defense.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph on Thursday expressed support in Sanders’ readiness and Payton reiterated that sentiment Friday. Sanders played extensively against Miami and, like every other player on Denver’s defense, struggled. But a week of reps next to Singleton can only help in his preparation.

“I think Drew’s earned that opportunity,” Payton said. “We saw enough of it in the preseason and I’m sure he’s excited.”

Special teams a strength. Early on, the Broncos’ best unit has been its special teams. The rate of kick returns has plummeted in the NFL after a rule change expanding fair catches this offseason, but Marvin Mims Jr. returned one 99 yards for a touchdown against Miami and nearly broke into the open field twice against Las Vegas.

“When you have a good returner and you have a guy like (senior assistant coach Mike) Westhoff, I mean, we’ve put our heels eight yards deep in the end zone (in New Orleans) with Deonte Harty and said ‘green light,’” Payton said. “Mike is arguably one of the better special teams coordinators we’ve seen and specifically in the return game. I think that was like his 22nd kick return touchdown. He went 14 years in a row with one. When he came to New Orleans, four weeks later Alvin Kamara goes 101 yards. Those aren’t accidents.”

Bears hurting, too. Chicago’s injury situation isn’t much better. The Bears are playing without three members of their secondary.

Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (hamstring), Eddie Jackson (foot) and Josh Blackwell (hamstring) have all been ruled out, while running back Travis Homer (ankle) is questionable.

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