Linebacker Danny Trevathan Returns to Practice for Broncos

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) walks off the field after losing the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Seattle Seahawks won 43-8. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos aren’t fully healthy as a team, but compared to the Super Bowl last season, this roster is a gold mine of good health, and one player that seems to be somewhat in question approaching the Seattle game is linebacker Danny Trevathan.

Trevathan was one of the only holdover defenders who actually started in the Super Bowl. Much of the other guys who started in the Super Bowl are either backups now due to the return of other injured players, or they’re not on the team anymore. I say that his status is somewhat in question because Trevathan returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.

Did anyone really see that coming? It appeared as though Trevathan was slowly making his way back onto the field after the knee injury he suffered in training camp that was expected to keep him out up to six or eight weeks. It certainly hasn’t been eight weeks since he was injured, but Trevathan claimed when he was hurt that it would be closer to six.

The expectation remains that Trevathan will be making his debut after the bye week, but if any player is going to be chomping at the bit to play against Seattle, it’s going to be Danny Trevathan.

The Broncos’ leading tackler from a year ago, Trevathan had an awesome season working as the Broncos’ weakside linebacker and absolutely emerging as one of the team’s best defensive players overall. He showed an ability to cover from the linebacker position that the Broncos were pleasantly surprised by. He made some plays in coverage last year, including his interception to effectively beat the Dallas Cowboys, that left everyone’s jaws dropped.

This is a fast, rangy, sure-tackling linebacker who has become one of the Broncos’ best defensive players and his presence has been missed, especially in coverage of tight ends. If and when Trevathan returns, it’s another major upgrade for a Broncos’ defense that has had many this offseason.

His limited participation in practice Thursday is an encouraging sign that Trevathan will return after the bye week, but is he aiming for a shot at revenge against the Seahawks. That’s probably a longshot, but I wouldn’t have a problem if he’s progressing back to full health faster than they had originally hoped.