ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Since the start of OTAs—and the unofficial kickoff to the 2021 football season—Bradley Chubb has been on the sideline more than he’s been on the field.
Two arthroscopic procedures to remove bone spurs in both of his ankles in a matter of four months has delivered more bad news than good for the former No. 5-overall pick.
But there was a glimmer of good news on Wednesday shortly after he underwent his most recent procedure to remove bone spurs, this time from his left ankle.
“His procedure today was a roaring success in that the best scenario that they all could hope for was what they found,” Vic Fangio announced before Wednesday’s practice. “He’ll be back at some point.”
Chubb’s first procedure, back in May, sidelined him for 11 weeks. However, with the season underway and a “roaring successful” surgery on Wednesday, the timetable for his return hopes to be nearly cut in half from the first time around.
“I think it’s in the six week range—would be the earliest,” Fangio said about how long Chubb will be sidelined. “Six to eight [weeks].”
Because of that, on Wednesday, the fourth-year pass rusher was placed on inured reserve, guaranteeing he will miss at least three weeks. After those first three weeks, Chubb can be brought off the I.R. at any point.
If Chubb misses at least six weeks, the Broncos will be without him for their home games against the Jets (Week 3), Ravens (Week 4), Raiders (Week 6) and Washington Football Team (Week 8). They’ll also miss him on the road against the Steelers (Week 5) and Browns (Week 7).
If his ankle holds him out through the full eight weeks, he’ll also miss the Cowboys game (Week 9) in Dallas and the Eagles game (Week 10) at home. After playing Philadelphia, the Broncos have their Bye Week, which would allow an extra week for Chubb to rehab before playing against the Chargers.
If Denver wants to take the safe route, they will hold him out through the team’s Week 11 bye.
Chubb was listed as questionable leading up to Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. But after getting medical clearance, the team let him play. Unfortunately, the bone spurs caused enough discomfort during the game to where he pulled himself out. On Tuesday, it was decided surgery was the best route to go.
“The doctors said, ‘if you wait a week, it’s still going to be the same thing,'” Fangio said, explaining why Wednesday was the best time to have the surgery.
The head coach added that even when the 25-year old was on the field he didn’t totally look like himself.
“He wasn’t limping and all that, but it was a bone spur that was moving at times and when it moved, it hurt,” Fangio stated. “And he never knew when it was going to come.”
Whenever Chubb returns, Fangio is confident he will be able to have an impact this year. Until then, Denver’s depth at outside linebacker is now being tested. Malik Reed will start for Chubb across from Von Miller with Jonathon Cooper as the No. 3 outside backer.
The team has talked about working rookie linebacker Baron Browning at outside backer too, but it will depend on if new inside linebacker Micah Kiser is caught up with the defense.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, this is not unfamiliar territory.
Two years ago, Chubb missed the final 12 games of the season after tearing his ACL. Last year, Von Miller missed the entire season after undergoing ankle surgery days before the season.
Fortunately, Reed has experience stepping in at a moments notice. Not only has the 6-foot-2, 235-pound pass rusher started 22 games over the past three years, including Week 1 this year, he has been incredibly effective as he had a team-high eight sacks last year.
With Chubb sidelined for nearly half of this season, it will be “The Dream Killer,” as Von deemed him, and Miller on the edges once again for the Broncos.
