ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — COVID-19 has rocked the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers this week. But at this moment, it is the Broncos who are trending in the wrong direction.
Thursday was the second consecutive day to see four Broncos placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, as the Broncos added slot cornerback Bryce Callahan, right tackle Bobby Massie, edge rusher Stephen Weatherly and cornerback Mike Ford to the group of players currently sidelined. They joined starting wide receiver Tim Patrick, dime back Caden Sterns, No. 3 tackle Calvin Anderson and practice-squad wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland on the COVID-19 list.
Denver did get center Lloyd Cushenberry III back Wednesday after he missed last Sunday’s game at Las Vegas.
Lloyd Cushenberry warms up prior to training-camp practice on July 28, 2021. (PHOTO: ANDREW MASON)
The NFL’s revised protocols that reduce the time players must stay on the list could also ensure that nose tackle Mike Purcell and outside linebacker Andre Mintze return in time for the Jan. 2 game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Purcell and Mintze both landed on the COVID-19 list last Monday, one day after the Broncos’ 17-13 loss at Las Vegas.
But all of the players who tested positive Wednesday and Thursday will not be able to return in time to face the Chargers. Thus, Denver is assured of playing without three first-teamers — Patrick, Callahan and Massie — as well as Massie’s primary backup (Anderson) and key rotational players in Sterns and Weatherly.
The Broncos canceled practice Thursday after the four positive tests. The team met virtually, hoping for a return to practice Friday.
“I just felt that we needed to hit the pause button [and] get our hands around what we’ve got here as far as numbers and roster,” said Broncos coach Vic Fangio.
Despite that, Fangio said he didn’t think there had been any chatter about rescheduling the game.
“No, I don’t believe there’s been any discussion,” Fangio said, “and wouldn’t anticipate there being any.”
Meanwhile, the Chargers are mostly trending in the opposite direction. Since Monday, they have activated seven first-teamers from the COVID-19 reserve list:
- Thursday: CB Michael Davis, WR Mike Williams
- Wednesday: Edge rusher Joey Bosa, C Corey Linsley
- Tuesday: DL Justin Jones, PR/WR Andre Roberts
- Monday: RB Austin Ekeler
Davis’ return is specifically tied to the NFL’s shortened turnaround for returns with negative tests and no symptoms; he tested positive last Sunday, just before the Chargers’ upset loss at Houston.
Eight other Los Angeles backups have also returned from the COVID-19 reserve list, including understudy QB Chase Daniel.
Thursday, the Chargers activated two starters from the COVID-19 reserve list: cornerback Michael Davis and wide receiver Mike Williams.
This isn’t to say it has all been good news for the Chargers. On Monday, starting cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and safety Nasir Adderley went on the COVID-19 reserve list, along with backup guard Senio Kelemete and reserve safety Alohi Gilman.
Tuesday, the Chargers had two starters among four players placed on the COVID-19 list: kicker Dustin Hopkins and long snapper Matt Overton. Wednesday, the Chargers put starting right tackle Storm Norton and backup linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. on the list.
But per the NFL’s revised guidelines, all but Norton and Murray could test out and be in uniform by Sunday’s game, since they were the only two players added to the list on Wednesday and Thursday.
None of the eight Broncos placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Wednesday and Thursday will be able to test out in time to return. Further, the Chargers expect to get safety Derwin James Jr. back; he missed the loss to the Texans due to a hamstring injury.
