Teddy Bridgewater appears poised to play, but here's how pass-catching injuries have gotten worse this week

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — At every step along the way this week, Teddy Bridgewater has hit the milestones the Broncos hoped he would.

Be in meetings by Wednesday: Check

Limited practice work while wearing a helmet by Thursday: Check

Full practice Friday: Check

All that stands between Bridgewater and the quickest possible return to action after his concussion last Sunday is passing the final stage of the league-mandated post-concussion protocol by Saturday. Then, he would be able to board the team flight for Pittsburgh, no questions asked.

Pending passing the final examination, Bridgewater is listed as questionable.

“Right now, he’s progressed nicely,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said. “He’s cleared up to this point. They’ll decide (Saturday) for the final verdict.”

He took “most” of the first-team repetitions at Friday’s practice,” Fangio added.

The problem now? Figuring out who will catch the football.

The Broncos’ injury issues went from bad to worse Friday when Courtland Sutton landed on the injury report after rolling his ankle during Friday’s practice. He is listed as questionable.

Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam was ruled out with a hamstring injury he suffered during Wednesday’s practice, which sidelined him entirely for the Thursday and Friday sessions.

So, whether it’s Bridgewater or Drew Lock, the Broncos’ quarterback will have to drop back and look downfield without having Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, Okwuegbunam and possibly Sutton, who had been looking forward to redemption in his return to Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field, where he suffered an ACL injury last year.

They expect to have wide receiver/returner Diontae Spencer back in uniform Sunday, and their offensive line should be back at full strength, with guards Dalton Risner and Graham Glasgow expected to return.

But it seems likely that if the Broncos are going to win Sunday, they’ll have to rely on their power gears more than their speed.