The Broncos will still be without their best players when they face the Chiefs Sunday, with Von Miller, Courtland Sutton and Jurrell Casey either out for the season or most likely (in Miller’s case) shelved until 2021. But they will be healthier on defense this week.
Vic Fangio said Friday that A.J. Bouye and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones will be activated from IR ahead of Denver’s home game against Kansas City. Bouye has been out since leaving the Broncos’ Week 1 loss with a shoulder injury. Despite the injuries, Denver’s defense ranks sixth in DVOA. Though, the Chiefs will certainly test the unit.
Denver acquired Bouye from Jacksonville this offseason, sending the Jaguars a fourth-round pick for the former Pro Bowler. Bouye has played just 28 snaps this season. The Broncos have relied on 2019 free agency acquisition Bryce Callahan, who has stayed healthy thus far after missing all of last season, and third-round rookie Michael Ojemudia at corner in Bouye’s absence.
Jones suffered a PCL strain and a bone bruise in his knee in Week 2 but will come off the team’s IR when first eligible. The 2019 third-round pick will be expected to play a key role going forward, with Casey out for the season. Jones recorded 3.5 sacks and an interception as a backup last year.
I feel bad for Fangio. He’s doing a tremendous job coaching up this defense, yet lacks the talent at quarterback for this team to emerge as a true contender. Elway needs to resolve what has been an issue for five years and counting.
Callahan has been great and Ojemudia has stepped up as well. Shelby Harris is an underrated beast and Bradley Chubb is really starting to flash. Fant has developed faster than Hockenson and Bolles has shown tremendous improvement. Once again, I really hope Fangio gets a chance with a real signal caller
I agree, totally. The Broncos’ defense has been tremendous, considering what they’ve gone through. Lock remains unimpressive as a starter. The offense as a whole has had flashes, but quality QB play continues to elude them.
I think that if there ever could be an ideal situation to trade up for a quarterback, this possibly could be it. The Broncos are a rare example of a team that might benefit from a huge trade for a generational signal caller-the type of trade that has stung the Bears and the Redskins in the past.