The Broncos get brutal news on the injury front

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Just when you thought Thursday night’s 12-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts couldn’t get any worse for the Denver Broncos, it did.

On Friday, Nathaniel Hackett dumped salt on the open wound the Broncos suffered on national television on Thursday night.

“Some unfortunate news, Garett Bolles, he’ll need surgery he’ll be out for the season, and [Ronald] Darby has an ACL, he will also be out for the season,” Hackett began his day-after press conference with.

Against the Colts, Bolles suffered a broken leg and Darby tore his ACL.

Earlier in the week, Denver lost star running back Javonte Williams for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, LCL and PCL. Before the weekend even arrived, the Broncos added two more key players to the season-ending injured reserve.

In fact, Bolles and Darby were such important parts of the team, they have the biggest and third-biggest cap hit on the team this year, with Russell Wilson sandwiched in-between. Bolles’ $21 million cap hit topped Wilson’s $17 million cap figure, while Darby checked in at $12.8 million.

When Bolles left the game on a cart against the Colts, Calvin Anderson filled in for him at left tackle. While Anderson could take that spot for the rest of the season, Hackett said the offensive staff will meet and decide what the best route for the team will be in Denver’s final 12 games of the regular season.

Another candidate to replace Bolles is Billy Turner. Denver’s free agent signing hasn’t played this year, but was active against the Colts. Hackett said the versatile lineman “definitely” could have played on Thursday night.

“We didn’t play him,” Hackett said, before explaining why. “We’re still trying to give him a little bit more time, but he was available to be able to go and I think he’ll be able to play at a high level.”

Before Bolles’ injury, the plan was for Turner to start at right tackle in place of Cam Fleming. With Bolles now sidelined for the year, Turner could be moved to left tackle, which he has played in the past.

“I am so thankful for the outpouring of support from my teammates, coaches and Broncos Country. I am going to attack this process and come back better than ever. I know my best football is ahead of me and I can’t wait to get back out there in the orange and blue,” Bolles posted on Twitter Friday evening. “Much Love!”

On the other side of the ball, rookie Damarri Mathis stepped in for Darby when he went down against the Colts. All signs point to that being the long-term strategy as well, although Ejiro Evero could turn to Michael Ojemudia once he’s activated off the injured reserve.

Ojemudia was placed on the inured reserve after he suffered a dislocated elbow in the preseason. He was eligible to return from the I.R. following the Raiders game, but with a short week against the Colts, the Broncos decided to wait to activate him. With Darby out for the year, Ojemudia will be called on to play. Veteran cornerback Darius Phillips is also on the team, along with Faion Hicks and Ja’Quan McMillian on the practice squad.

The Broncos had two more injuries from Thursday’s game. Josey Jewell suffered a knee sprain and is week-to-week, while Baron Browning—who was unstoppable at outside linebacker—is day-to-day with a wrist sprain.

Fortunately, Denver has time to allow Browning to get back on the field as their next game isn’t until Oct. 17, when the Broncos take on the Chargers in Los Angeles on Monday Night Football.