NASHVILLE — It didn’t even take one play for the Broncos’ offense to go off the rails on Sunday against the Titans.
On Denver’s very first offensive play on Sunday, from their own four-yard line, Russell Wilson took a deep shot down the field. But just as Jerry Jeudy was coming out of his break, he went down. And stayed down.
“He was going to be wide open on that,” Russell Wilson said after the Broncos 17-10 loss, adding insult to Jeudy’s injury.
Although it initially looked like Jeudy could have injured his Achilles, which is a season-ending injury, there is belief the injury isn’t as serious.
“Jerry Jeudy, he did not finish the game. He’s got an ankle. We’re hoping we dodged a bullet there,” Hackett said after the game. “But we’ll evaluate and see how long he’ll be.”
Multiple reports during the game specified Jeudy’s injury was, in fact, to his ankle, not Achilles. After the game, wearing a boot in the locker room, Jeudy hoped the injury was to his lower ankle.
The rest of the game, the Broncos relied on Courtland Sutton along with many younger receivers, including Jalen Virgil and Kendall Hinton.
“Courtland keeps leading them,” Wilson said after the game, talking about Denver’s remaining healthy receivers. “Kendall Hinton, his ability to step up and step in today was amazing. I have all the confidence in the world in him. He’s a world-class athlete too. He made some great plays today. Guys like Virgil, like I mentioned, he’s been working his butt off everyday. Finally got his chance.”
Playing in his first NFL game, Virgil scored the Broncos’ only touchdown on the day, taking a 66-yard pass to the house. Hinton brought in four passes for 62 yards, while Sutton led the team in targets (11), receptions (6) and receiving yards (66).
“Kendall’s such a special guy,” Wilson said, praising No. 9 multiple times after the game.
Jeudy’s injury was the first on the day, but certainly not the last for the Broncos.
Billy Turner and K’Waun Williams suffered knee injuries in the game, while Graham Glasgow left the game and did not return with a shoulder injury.
“All four guys we’ll have to see once we get back to Denver and are able to evaluate that,” Hackett stated.
Quinn Bailey, who is on the practice squad, filled in for Turner at right tackle and rookie Luke Wattenberg stepped in for Glasgow at center.
With backups playing all over the field for the Broncos’ offense, Denver had their second-lowest point total of the season under Russell Wilson. The bright spot is Jeudy’s season might not be over.
