ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the NFL experiences the worst wave of COVID-19 infections they’ve ever had, the Denver Broncos have been relatively unscathed.
So far.
“You’re relieved, but I’m ready for one of those guys to come in my office with the bad news,” Vic Fangio stated on Wednesday, talking about how the Broncos haven’t had a significant number of positive COVID-19 tests this week like a portion of the league. “So yeah, relieved, but nervous.”
On Monday and Tuesday, 75 players tested positive for COVID across the NFL. On Wednesday, the Browns placed 14 players, including Baker Mayfield, and their head coach on the COVID-19 list. Along with that, seven teams are in enhanced COVID protocols. The Broncos didn’t have a single positive test on Wednesday.
However, Denver hasn’t been completely unscathed. Currently, three players on the 53-man roster are on their COVID-19 list, along with practice squad receiver Seth Williams.
Malik Reed, Mike Boone and P.J. Locke are all doing “fine,” according to Fangio, but none of them have posted a negative test yet. Players must have two negative tests in order to be activated off the COVID-19 list.
“Last year, I was at the center of all the COVID stuff here, so I’m out of it,” Fangio said, admitting he has removed himself from the details of the COVID proceeding this year. “I’m like a player. When they tell me what we’re doing, that’s what we’re doing. And I don’t even think about it. I’m not exaggerating. Whatever they say we got to do, we got to do.”
With an incredibly jam-packed race for the AFC playoffs, Fangio stated “there’s no doubt” COVID could have an impact on which teams makes the playoffs and which teams don’t.
“The reason teams have their records and are in contention are because of their rosters. And if those rosters take a hit, especially with key players, it’ll have an effect,” Fangio added. “There’s no doubt about it.”
So far, the Broncos are only without one starter due to COVID.
But they aren’t as fortunate when it comes to other injuries.
On Wednesday, seven Broncos, including five starters, did not practice due to various injuries. The injuries on the defensive side appear to be the most concerning.
During a dominant game on Sunday, where he racked up two sacks, two quarterback hits and three tackles for a loss, Dre’Mont Jones hurt his foot. After the game, Fangio believed the defensive lineman would be “OK,” but hoped for no surprises in the days that followed.
Unfortunately, it would appear a bad surprise popped up.
“If we had to list him today, I would say he’s questionable and he’s truly 50-50,” Fangio stated on Wednesday, about Jones’ availability for Sunday against the Bengals.
Additionally, Denver’s line-backing corps took a hit against the Lions as well with Kenny Young suffering a concussion. If Young is not able to pass through the concussion protocol, Fangio said Jonas Griffith, who filled in for Young on Sunday, could be his replacement again this week.
This comes at a very inopportune time as the Broncos play the second-leading rusher in the NFL on Sunday in Joe Mixon. Fangio pointed to Denver’s inconsistent play against the run to the Broncos having to use eight different inside linebackers this year.
“A lot of it stems to the inside linebacker position,” Fangio said, addressing the Broncos’ struggles stopping the run. “We’ve played eight inside linebackers this year… Some of them weren’t in camp with us. That’s when it gets harder.”
Unfortunately for Fangio, Griffith was one of those players who did not spend training camp with the team as Denver traded for him on Aug. 31.
Additionally, Kareem Jackson (shoulder) and Caden Sterns (shoulder/neck) did not practice. However, when addressing the media, there was no indication Jackson wouldn’t be able to play against the Bengals.
Still on the defensive side the ball, Stephen Weatherly did not practice as he is dealing with a non-COVID illness. Fangio described his illness as “old-school cold symptoms.”
The injury news isn’t nearly as bad on the offensive side of the ball. Bobby Massie was the only player that did not practice on offense, and even that isn’t a concern to Fangio.
“Bobby’s a little bit hip [injury], but really it’s kind of a rest day,” Fangio said.
Before practice, Fangio stated Melvin Gordon would also not practice due to the hip injury that kept him out of the Chiefs game, along with a thumb injury. However, Denver’s starting running back was practicing during the portion of practice that was open to the media.
As the week goes on, the Broncos hope COVID news stays out of Fangio’s office, while more players step on the practice field.
