Broncos dealt a good hand, but a bad card on the injury front as they return from their Bye Week

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos’ Bye Week tossed Denver some tricks and some treats.

On Monday, coming back from their long weekend off, the Broncos were dealt a good hand and a bad card along their injury front.

To get the bad news out of the way, Garett Bolles has been placed on the COVID-19 list. Bolles is vaccinated, so there is a chance he is able to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. In order to play in just six days, Denver’s $17 million left tackle will need two negative COVID-19 tests in consecutive days.

However, the recent Bronco players that have been placed on the COVID-19 list have all missed at least one game. If Bolles is not able to return before Sunday, Calvin Anderson will once again step in at left tackle.

The bright spot is Bolles was the only player that will be placed on the COVID-19 list after Denver’s Bye Week.

The spotlight-sized bright spot is Bradley Chubb returned to practice on Monday. Chubb was placed on the injured reserve on Sept. 22 as he underwent a procedure to remove a bone spur in his ankle.

With the former No. 5-overall pick returning to practice, Denver now has 21 days to active him to the active roster.

“We’re starting the clock on him. We’ll see where it goes,” Fangio stated on Monday.

While Chubb could theoretically play against the Chargers on Sunday, the head coach made it clear the team is not going to rush him back.

“He’s going to do some individual today. If that goes good, he’ll grab a handful of plays in practice. If not today, then we’ll see where he’s at on Wednesday,” Fangio stated. “But it will be a logical, conservative progression.”

When Chubb returns, if he does, he will provide a much-needed boost to Denver’s run defense. In the past seven games, the Broncos are giving up nearly 132 rushing yards per game, including a season-high 216 yards to the Eagles in Denver’s most recent game.

“Bradley’s a complete player, run and pass. When you can have complete players out there, that obviously would be a major help,” Fangio stated, when asked if Chubb would boost the run defense.

Chubb has only played in one game for the Broncos this year.

Michael Ojemudia will also begin practicing this week after being on the injured reserve for the entire season due to a hamstring injury. Much like Chubb, the Broncos have 21 days to active him to the active roster.

Without Bryce Callahan—who is having a “good rehab,” according to the head coach—Ojemudia could see playing time as Denver’s fourth cornerback.

After starting the last three games at inside linebacker, Baron Browning did not practice on Monday due to back spasms. However, Fangio is “anticipating” that the rookie will be back on the field Wednesday.

Denver will also have their offensive coordinator back for Sunday’s game. Pat Shurmur returned to the building on Monday for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19 the Friday before the Eagles game.

Although the Broncos likely will not have Bolles at left tackle against the Chargers, there’s a “chance” Bobby Massie returns to the starting lineup. Denver’s veteran right tackle missed the Eagles game due to an ankle injury.

If Massie and Bolles can’t play, Cam Fleming will start at right tackle.