Broncos Camp: Injury Bug Bites Orlando Franklin

Tackle Orlando Franklin (74) protects in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Browns 34-12. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Broncos were back on the practice field in pads Monday morning after an entire day off.

The big knock of the day came when starting tackle Orlando Franklin hit the turf. He was down for several minutes with a hip injury, but eventually limped off under his own power.

Guard Louis Vasquez took Franklin’s spot.

“He’s done that all camp,” John Fox said about Vasquez moving around. “If you notice, we do practice our guards outside. They have to get flexible as far as what positions [they play]. That’s something we practice all through camp and that’s the adjustment we made when Orlando left.”

The offensive line is already without J.D. Walton and Chris Kuper. Ryan Clady has been limited in practices as well.

In other injury news, tight end Joel Dreessen had a scope on his knee Monday afternoon and is expected to be out 3-4 weeks. Jacob Tamme returned to practice, but on a limited basis.

Sylvester Williams was the other guy who returned to practice. The team’s first round draft pick was back practicing with the starters.

“Obviously I missed a couple of days so it’s for me to come back out here and be effective,” Williams said after practice. “But I’m definitely working to be a starter and I’m working towards that. I’m competing with a bunch of great defensive tackles so all-in-all we’re going to have a great defensive line this year.”

Other guys that didn’t participate include Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle), Greg Orton (ankle), and Jeremiah Johnson (toe). Quinton Carter was limited with a knee injury.

Looking past the injuries, Andre Caldwell had a nice day, and continues to prove why he’s the team’s fourth receiver behind Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Wes Welker. Both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler found Caldwell for long catches.

However, it was the defense that really stepped up Monday. In seven-on-seven drills, both Manning and Osweiler were shut out of the end zone. To conclude practice, the offense had the chance for a Hail Mary into the end zone, but again the defense walked away winners.

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