Broncos Injury Report: Big names may return against the Texans
Dec 5, 2019, 3:11 PM
This time of year, there’s no shortage of players on a football team who are feeling the wear and tear of a long season. The Broncos are no different, as injuries have start to pile up as the team heads into the final quarter of the 2019 season.
Having players unable to go, are not playing at 100 percent, is always tough, no matter who is missing or hobbled. But when it’s a big-name, high-priced, all-important member of the roster, it’s even trickier for a team to navigate.
That’s what the Broncos are dealing with as they get ready to take on the Texans on Sunday. The may have to try to pull off the upset in Houston without some of their key players. But there’s good news on that horizon, as a few key players appear ready to return.
Here’s who was listed on the Broncos official injury report as of Thursday, December 5:
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FULL PARTICIPATION
Jeremiah Attaochu (OLB)
Injury – Lower leg
Note – With Von Miller still hobbled, the Broncos need all of the healthy bodies they can find at outside linebacker, which makes the injury to this backup a major concern
Royce Freeman (RB)
Injury – Ribs
Note – Freeman has been nursing sore ribs for a couple of weeks, an injury that is tough for a hard-nosed running back to overcome completely during the season
Shelby Harris (DE)
Injury – Ankle
Note – Still ailing from the pregame injury suffered two weeks ago in Buffalo, Harris appears like he’ll be ready to go on Sunday
Ja’Wuan James (RT)
Injury – Knee
Note – After suffering two different knee injuries that have limited him to roughly 20 snaps this season, the Broncos high-priced right tackle is expected to play in Houston
Tim Patrick (WR)
Injury – Shoulder
Note – The injury suffered three weeks ago in Minnesota continues to linger, but it has yet to keep Patrick off the field, even against the Vikings
Mike Purcell (NT)
Injury – Knee
Note – Purcell has been a key member of the Broncos defense since becoming a starter in Week 5, especially against the run, so Denver will need him on the field against the Texans
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LIMITED PARTICIPATION
Connor McGovern (C)
Injury – Back
Note – The center has been able to play the last two weeks with the same injury, so there’s reason to believe he’ll be on the field against the Texans on Sunday, as well
Von Miller (LB)
Injury – Knee
Note – After missing last week’s game for what has been described as a sprained MCL, Miller has returned to practice and there’s a chance he could be ready to return against Houston
Will Parks (S)
Injury – Hand
Note – Parks has been dealing with a hand injury since the Chiefs game in Week 7, something that appears to be a problem that will linger for the rest of the season
Malik Reed (OLB)
Injury – Ankle/Shoulder
Note – With Von Miller’s status up in the air, there’s a chance the Broncos will be without both of their starting outside linebackers when they take on the Texans
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DID NOT PRACTICE
Ron Leary (RG)
Injury – Concussion
Note – The veteran right guard has been a warrior all season, playing through a number of ailments, but the Broncos medical staff may keep him from playing on Sunday, depending on how he responds while in the concussion protocol
