Jack Del Rio on Derek Wolfe: “The Numbers Will Come”

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) react to his tackle in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Jaguars 35-19. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

Now that Von Miller is back in the Denver Broncos‘ lineup, other guys should start reaping the benefits due to the attention opposing offenses have to devout to him.

One guy looking to pick things up as the double teams on Miller increase is second year defensive end Derek Wolfe. Wolfe has 11 tackles and one sack through seven games. That’s a drop off compared to his rookie year, when he tallied 40 tackles and six sacks.

“It’s not always about one guy getting the numbers. But Derek works hard, he very conscientious—one of the guys that we count on to play a big role for us each and every Sunday,” Jack Del Rio said after Thursday’s practice. “Just keep grinding, the numbers will come. I think he’s approaching it the right way.”

You have to wonder if Wolfe’s “sophomore slump” is partially the result of that scary neck injury that had him carted off the field during preseason play. Was that incident enough to make him play a little more conservatively?

Del Rio thinks Wolfe is 100% back from that.

“That was a scary moment,” Del Rio said. “It takes a little time to come back from that. I think he came back probably quicker than most would be able to. I mean, he’s a tough kid. It doesn’t surprise me at all. I do feel like he’s all the way back from that and playing the way he can.”

The Broncos are looking for more from Wolfe, who was their first pick of the 2012 draft out of Cincinnati, and the only defensive lineman in franchise history to start every game his rookie year.

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