Broncos Provide Encouraging Update On Injured Wr Pat Bryant

The Denver Broncos were devastated by Bo Nix's season-ending injury. But since that shocking setback, there's been immoderate positivity connected nan wellness beforehand successful Denver.

Not only did nan Broncos designate moving backmost J.K. Dobbins and halfway Luke Wattenberg — 2 starters — to return from injured reserve this week, but there's dream yet that rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant will clear concussion protocol successful clip for Sunday's AFC title crippled vs. nan New England Patriots astatine Empower Field astatine Mile High.

After starting disconnected nan week arsenic a constricted subordinate successful practice, Bryant was upgraded to afloat connected Thursday. That's a very affirmative harbinger for his outlook this week, though it stops short of being a afloat guarantee.

We'll cognize for judge what Bryant's nickname for this crippled will connected Friday erstwhile nan last wounded study drops. As a playmaker successful nan passing crippled and 1 of nan Broncos' champion blocking wideouts, having nan rookie connected nan section against New England, particularly pinch Jarrett Stidham starting successful spot of Nix, would beryllium a bully asset.

Bryant suffered a concussion past Saturday successful nan Broncos' 30-33 overtime triumph complete nan Buffalo Bills successful nan divisional information of nan playoffs. He caught 3 passes connected nan opening drive, and connected that 3rd reception, he suffered nan concussion.

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Wattenberg's Progress

Wattenberg's advancement this week is besides very encouraging. He started nan week arsenic a afloat participant, and that continued connected Thursday. The omens constituent to him returning to his station arsenic nan Broncos' center, snapping nan shot to Stidham connected Sunday. We'll cognize for sure, perchance connected Friday, though nan Broncos whitethorn hold until Saturday to officially activate him disconnected IR.

Dobbins has been limited connected some believe days. While that makes it harder to divine his trajectory for this title game, it doesn't region nan anticipation of him being activated.

The Broncos could person waited to spot if they triumph connected Sunday and beforehand to nan Super Bowl earlier starting Dobbins' clock. But nan squad decided to designate him this week, which, for now, I'll clasp onto arsenic a bully harbinger because nan Broncos' rushing onslaught could usage immoderate reinforcements aft weeks inconsistency since he suffered that Lisfranc wounded successful early November.

Offensive tackle Frank Crum (ankle), tight extremity Lucas Krull (foot), linebacker Drew Sanders (ankle), and information JL Skinner (quad) person each been afloat participants successful believe this week. Krull and Sanders began practicing pinch nan squad past week, moving backmost from nan wounded lists. The Broncos person yet to activate either.

Alongside Dobbins arsenic constricted participants successful each believe this week are wide receiver Troy Franklin (hamstring) and halfway Alex Forsyth (ankle). With Wattenberg back, Forsyth's wounded is little urgent, though it would beryllium bully to person him disposable complete Sam Mustipher.

Franklin's hamstring is nan past large rumor this week. He vanished arsenic nan Broncos' 2nd starring receiver this season, but he went down early successful past week's triumph complete Buffalo.

That gave emergence to a immense crippled from Marvin Mims Jr. If Franklin is incapable to spell connected Sunday vs. nan Patriots, and assuming Bryant stays connected his existent trajectory, look for nan Broncos to elevate astatine slightest 1 believe squad receiver connected gameday. It would apt beryllium either Michael Bandy aliases Elijah Moore.

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