The Denver Broncos returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon as they prepare to take Thursday off for Thanksgiving. And I’m not sure what taking the day off implies for an NFL squad. I’m sure there will be time with family, but there will also be time spent in the film room with the Broncos, who are now in the playoffs.
The Broncos returned to the practice field on Wednesday with a number of key injury questions for the first time this season. Zach Allen, the team’s starting defensive lineman and one of its finest players this season, missed Sunday’s victory over the Raiders due to a heel injury. And he was seen on the pitch in Las Vegas before the game with a boot on his foot.
Fortunately, Sean Payton’s statement on Monday that Allen will be fine appears to have been genuine. Number 99 was seen on the practice pitch on what has traditionally been his non-injury rest day each week this season…
Broncos news: Zach Allen on the practice field as Broncos prep for Browns
If you look to the far right of that still from Cody Roark’s practice video, you can see Zach Allen’s #99 jersey entering the picture. That’s clearly a good sign for him to be out there, especially because Wednesday is typically a rest day for him. Because the Broncos were not required to release an injury report on Wednesday, we don’t know what Allen’s anticipated designation would have been. But, after seeing him in the boot, there was some concern that he may end up on temporary IR, which no longer appears to be an option.
We’ll find out more as the week goes on, but perhaps there’s reason to be hopeful that Allen will play on Monday night against the Browns.
Broncos made surprise move with practice squad LB Zach Cunningham
Only a few weeks ago, the Denver Broncos ran out of free practice squad promotions for veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander, who made his team debut against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. After playing three games in a row, Sean Payton made it appear as if Alexander’s inclusion on the 53-man roster was a given.
Zach Cunningham, a seasoned linebacker, presumably responded not so fast…
Cunningham has been elevated from the Broncos’ practice squad in each of the last two weeks, and he had three tackles against the Atlanta Falcons. The Broncos are promoting him to the 53-man roster instead of Alexander.
Perhaps we’ll see more of Cunningham in the future. The Broncos definitely believe he can help, and he has historically performed well against the run.
Broncos LB Drew Sanders is “fully cleared”; role still TBD
Drew Sanders, the Broncos’ 2023 third-round pick, was cleared to return to the 53-man roster this year after sustaining an Achilles injury in late April. Sanders has been gradually regaining his fitness, and the Broncos have been increasing his workload in recent weeks.
Now, head coach Sean Payton says he’s “fully cleared” to play.
“We’ll see how this week goes. It is usually a significant question. What is the role? What’s the vision [in] the first game back? It’s nice to have him. It’s been great to have him there. He has been fully cleared, and he is doing well. “We’ll see.”
– Broncos HC Sean Payton (via team PR)
The Broncos legally had to determine whether to activate Sanders (or not) by Wednesday, but my hunch is that they will use him sooner rather than later. Sanders has the potential to contribute to both the pass rush and special teams. He may not play 20 defensive snaps in his first game back, but I’m betting he makes a cameo.
