Broncos place yet another starter on IR

The Broncos will place starting safety Justin Simmons on injured reserve, ending his 2017 season, the team announced on Wednesday. The second-year player sprained his ankle while celebrating Brandon Marshall’s strip-sack during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Jets.

Simmons took on a starting role this season, filling in for T.J. Ward at the back end of the defense. His 63 tackles are the second most of any Bronco, behind Marshall’s 89. He’s also posted two interceptions and a sack this season. His first interception came deep in Denver territory and sealed a Week 4 win over the Raiders with under two minutes on the clock. He returned his second 65 yards for Denver’s only touchdown in a 35-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Fellow second-year safety Will Parks replaced Simmons in base, two-safety packages with Jamal Carter serving as the Broncos’ third safety. Denver will likely approach Thursday’s game against the Colts with a similar strategy.

Parks has played in every game this season and has participated in over half of Denver’s defensive snaps. The 23-year-old has accounted for 37 tackles this season and has broken up three passes.

Jamal Carter is a hard-nosed undrafted rookie out of Miami who earned a roster spot in training camp. Carter has contributed on special teams but has only played seven snaps at safety in the last nine weeks.

Following Simmons’ move to injured reserve, the team is down to 52 players on the 53-man roster. Rookie safety Dymonte Thomas, who is currently on Denver’s practice squad, could be a candidate to fill the open spot.