The Broncos lose a key member of their offense and special teams
Sep 10, 2019, 2:49 PM | Updated: Sep 13, 2019, 12:23 pm
The Broncos lost more than just the game on Monday night to the Raiders. They also lost an emerging playmaker and a key member of their special teams to a significant injury.
Broncos WR Tim Patrick has a broken left hand, per source. Scheduling appointment with hand specialist. Exact timetable not yet known but he will miss time. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) September 10, 2019
The 6-foot-4, 212-pound wideout is in his second season with the Broncos, coming off of a nice 2018 campaign. A year ago, the former University of Utah star racked up 23 catches for 315 yards and a touchdown, becoming a viable weapon on offense as the season went on.
Patrick also had developed into big-time special teams contributor, providing the Broncos with speed and physicality in both coverage and returns. As a result, he’ll be missed in multiple ways while recovering.
The absence of Patrick will most likely create more playing time for wideout Juwann Winfree. The rookie was inactive in Week 1 against the Raiders.
Had the news come earlier, the Broncos might’ve been able to fill the void with a familiar face. Earlier in the day, the Patriots parted ways with a wide receiver who will some day be in Denver’s Ring of Fame.
More Antonio Brown fallout: Patriots are trading WR Demaryius Thomas in the division to the NY Jets for a 2021 sixth-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2019
If Patrick is going to be sidelined for significant time, which seems like with a broken hand, other options for filling his roster spot include players who spent training camp and the preseason in Denver. Atop that list is probably River Cracraft, a player who was on the fringe of making the final 53 prior to the start of the regular season.
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