Broncos Lose LB Brandon Marshall With Mid-Foot Sprain

The Denver Broncos wiped the floor with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, but the ugly injury bug made a few appearances throughout the day, perhaps none more significant than the bite linebacker Brandon Marshall suffered.

The Broncos’ leading tackler on the year and frankly one of the most improved players in the NFL suffered a mid-foot sprain according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport, an injury that John Fox should divulge more information on as the day progresses.

Denver’s defense also lost a major piece in linebacker Danny Trevathan, who suffered a hyper-extended knee. Trevathan and Marshall just cannot seem to stay on the field at the same time, something Denver fans have been looking forward to for weeks now. When the two finally have been on the field, it’s been like a vapor in the wind, and we can’t really get a good idea of how dynamic the defense can be with their speed and instincts out there at the same time, not to mention their ability to cover tight ends and running backs.

As for replacements, rookie Todd Davis seemed to be the one taking the majority of snaps as the replacement for Marshall and the Broncos also rotate in Corey Nelson, Steven Johnson, and Lamin Barrow. The depth at linebacker has already been stretched really thin with Nate Irving on injured reserve and Trevathan missing most of the season.

The timetable for Marshall’s return — or Trevathan’s, for that matter — is unknown at this point, though Fox will likely classify him as ‘week to week’.

If Marshall and Trevathan miss any more significant time, it means we’re going to need to see quick growth from the rest of the Broncos’ youngsters, similar to the way we saw a really quick rise from the two players who are currently injured.