Broncos Injury Report: Beat up for the trip to Buffalo

Last week, the Broncos were fairly healthy heading into Minnesota. Coming off of their bye, a lot of bumps and bruises had healed prior to the game against the Vikings.

The benefits of the seven-day break didn’t last long. On the heels of another heartbreaking loss, Denver is dealing with injuries that are once again piling up.

As they get ready to head to Buffalo for their second-straight road game, the Broncos will have to contend with more than just the Bills. The trip to western New York will be a battle of attrition, as Denver tries to overcome a new batch of aches and pains.

Here’s who was listed on the Broncos official injury report as of Thursday, November 21:

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FULL PARTICIPATION

Will Parks (S)
Injury – Hand
Note – After returning a month after suffering the injury, Parks seemed to get through the Minnesota game without any issues; the next test is playing in back-to-back games, seeing if the repaired hand can withstand the punishment

Mike Purcell (NT)
Injury – Ribs
Note – He left the Vikings game briefly, but returned to make a lot of plays, especially against the run; the Broncos will need him on the field if they hope to slow down Frank Gore and the Bills rushing attack

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LIMITED PARTICIPATION

Jeff Heuerman (TE)
Injury – Knee
Note – The oft-injured tight end limped off the field four weeks ago in Indianapolis, hurting a knee that sidelined him ever since and could keep him out again on Sunday

Ja’Wuan James (RT)
Injury – Knee
Note – After returning from a knee injury suffered in the season opener, James returned for a quarter-plus against the Colts; the Broncos are taking it slow with his second return to the lineup

Ron Leary (RG)
Injury – Shoulder / Neck
Note – The veteran seems to be on the injury report every week, but he’s always able to answer the bell on game day; so there’s no reason to believe he won’t be a go against the Bills, which the Broncos will need given their o-line injuries

Phillip Lindsay (RB)
Injury – Foot / Wrist
Note – The second-year running back has been battling a bad wrist for the past few weeks, but the foot ailment is a new one; all indications are that Lindsay will be able to play in Buffalo, however

Tim Patrick (WR)
Injury – Shoulder
Note – In his first game back after suffering an injury in Week 1, Patrick injured his shoulder against the Vikings; he didn’t miss any time in Minnesota, so hopefully he won’t in Buffalo either

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DID NOT PRACTICE

Justin Hollis (LB)
Injury – Hamstring
Note – The rookie linebacker may not be able to go in Buffalo, as he recovers form the same non-contact injury that has plagued teammates from training camp through Week 11

Joe Jones (ILB)
Injury – Foot
Note – The backup linebacker might not be a big loss on defense, but his presence on special teams will be tough to replace if he can’t go against the Bills

Connor McGovern (C)
Injury – Back
Note – Denver’s center injured himself in Minnesota, creating a situation that hasn’t cleared up during the first part of this week; the Broncos need him to anchor their offensive line on Sunday

Dalton Risner (LG)
Injury – Ankle
Note – For the second time this season, Risner limped out of a game, only to return after getting “re-taped” on the sideline; clearly, the rookie has a nagging ankle injury that keeps getting worse on a weekly basis

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