Every year, almost without fail, injuries strike a position group that can least afford to lose depth.
This year, it’s inside linebacker. Sunday morning, starter Todd Davis was spotted near the UCHealth Training Center practice field in a walking boot. While the calf injury that necessitated the boot is not as serious as the one that he suffered at about the same time last year, the Broncos could be looking at a touch-and-go situation for him to be ready in Week 1.
Then came the season-ending wrist injury to fifth-round pick Justin Strnad, a reserve who had a chance to factor as a sub-package coverage linebacker.
Denver still has third-year vetern Josey Jewell to partner with Alexander Johnson, and Jewell’s knowledge of the system and improved play should ensure the Broncos are covered in the box and with pre-snap checks and calls.
“He’s a smart player to begin with,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “When he knows more of all the fine things, he’s one of those players that can put it to good use. He’s had a good camp. We’re pleased with where he’s at.”
But at this point, the team has absorbed all the injuries it can at the position group without being put into desperate trouble.
Monday, Fangio bolstered the unit by moving second-year outside linebacker Justin Hollins inside.
“We were originally planning on leaving him at outside in this camp with the thought of knowing that he might be able to play inside some particularly in nickel in the back of our mind,” Fangio said.
“Now with the injuries that we’ve had at ILB, it has kind of forced our hands to do that a little earlier. You never know. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Justin and for us.”
With Hollins, the potential is tantalizing. He has the length of a tight end, standing at 6-foot-5 with a 79.5-inch wingspan. He ran the 40-yard dash at the 2019 Combine in 4.50 seconds, also in the company of the fastest tight ends — two of whom are on the offense in Noah Fant and rookie Albert Okwuegbunam. If Hollins could make his straight-line speed translate to lateral and backpedal quickness, then his collection of attributes could make him a long-term answer in coverage.
But the question the Broncos were unable to answer in 2019 was this: How do they use him? Is he an inside linebacker, an edge rusher or a player who could save a game-day roster spot by providing depth at both? And was the dual emphasis actually hindering his chances to refine his skills at one position to the point where he could be a frequent contributor?
So, the Broncos opted to work Hollins exclusively on the outside at this year’s camp.
Until Monday.
“We’re not putting him in there just because we need somebody in there. He’s a guy that has a chance in there,” Fangio said. “Sometimes when you’re forced to do something both as a coaching staff or as a player it ends up being a blessing. I’m hoping that’s what happens here.”
Hollins must show an ability to diagnose plays in a more rapid fashion.
“He does have some good length. He can run,” Fangio said. “He’s just got to learn to play with more explosiveness and decisiveness because things happen quicker and more things happen at inside linebacker.”
The Broncos could look elsewhere to find more depth.
For now, they’ll find out what they have in Hollins — as well as Josh Watson and Joe Jones, both of whom will also see more work as the team adjusts without its expected complement of inside linebackers.
