Big Al: Emmanuel Sanders season-ending injury is ‘heartbreaking’

Alfred “Big Al” Williams called the season-ending Achilles tear suffered by Emmanuel Sanders on Wednesday “one of the most heartbreaking injuries” he could remember in his time around the Denver Broncos.

Sanders, who injured his left Achilles after making a cut on a short passing route during practice, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s just bad timing, man. I feel so badly for him. For the year that he’s had and the way that he’s played this year, I just feel awful for him,” Williams said.

Not only had Sanders — who had spent his entire Broncos tenure as a No. 2 receiver — moved into the top wideout role for Denver following the Demaryius Thomas trade but also he heads into the 2019 season on the final year of his contract.

“It’s a huge financial loss for him. Because there is no way the Broncos are going to re-do a contract. I mean, they’re going to need to see if he can even come back from this,” said Williams’ co-host, DMac.

For a receiver who relies on his feet, DMac said, the injury could be a potential “career-ender.”

“You don’t know. I hope not. I do hope not. But it’s a tough one,” DMac said.

Williams, who himself met the end of his career largely due to an Achilles injury, said it is a tough prognosis to come back from.

“Now, if you’re a quarterback, not that big of a deal. But a wide receiver who is as explosive and as elusive as Emmanuel Sanders, oh man,” Williams said. “That’s how he gets his paper. That’s how he gets his bread. He’s so good. He’s uncoverable.”

The injury could also be potentially “devastating” for the Broncos as well, in terms of losing one of its top playmakers, DMac said.

“You never know when you’re going to really need your great players,” DMac said. “It’s just those moments that kind of spark up. And sometimes you take them for granted a little bit.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.