The first player to be designated to return from injured reserve this season is one who hasn’t played since December 2016, but the Broncos are in dire need of any help they can get.
Su’a Cravens will return to practice this week after being stashed on IR prior to the season. He’s been cleared to return, per The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala (on Twitter), and Cravens tweets he’s on track to face the Texans in Week 9.
Having seen injury trouble (and a public dispute) lead to a controversial exit from Washington, Cravens stands in line to supply depth and coverage aid for the Broncos’ defense. Cravens said (via Jhabvala, on Twitter) he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and he’s down more than 10 pounds after Broncos coaches requested him to return as a leaner version.
Cravens can return to practice this week, and the Broncos have two weeks to decide if they want to activate him or keep him on IR throughout the season. It obviously can’t be assumed Cravens will return in Week 9, given his history, but this is a positive development for him.
Denver’s lost four straight and entered the season having lost backup safety Jamal Carter to a season-nullifying injury. The Broncos traded a fifth-round pick for Cravens in hopes he could help out as a safety and sub-package linebacker.