Broncos ‘dodged a bullet’ as Wolfe injury appears not serious
Aug 12, 2017, 4:47 PM | Updated: 4:48 pm
On a day in which the club officially placed defensive lineman Billy Winn on injured reserve with a torn ACL, the Denver Broncos “dodged a bullet” in regard to an ankle injury to defensive end Derek Wolfe.
The sixth-year pro was carted off the practice field on Saturday, but fans and onlookers can breathe a sigh of relief, as the injury appears to not be serious.
A few hours after head coach Vance Joseph indicated it was a lower-ankle injury but it did not appear to be serious, Wolfe said via Twitter, “Appreciate the love. Dodged a bullet.”
Just a little swelling 😎 pic.twitter.com/iCz1TL7FhE
— Derek Wolfe (@Derek_Wolfe95) August 12, 2017
There has not been a timetable announced for Wolfe’s return, but a non-serious injury is a boost for a defensive unit already thin in its front seven.
Already out for the Broncos are Winn ( knee), linebackers Shane Ray (wrist) and Shaquil Barrett (hip) and defensive lineman Kyle Peko (foot).
After practice, Joseph said depth on the defensive line is “absolutely” a concern.
“Anytime you lose a guy like Billy, who’s played really well for us, that’s a concern,” Joseph said. “We have guys behind him who have to step up. You lose guys, it’s a concern in all phases of the game.”
Upon learning that Wolfe’s injury was likely not serious, cornerback Aqib Talib said, “Great news.”
“I was praying as soon as it happened that it was just a sprain or something like that and nothing serious,” Talib said.
Linebacker Todd Davis called the situation, wherein Wolfe got tangled up with tackle Menelik Watson, “scary.”
“That definitely was scary for us. He’s a big key for our defense and also a good friend of mine,” Davis said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
