Broncos Getting Healthy Heading Into Playoffs
Nov 17, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
You might not think it with Von Miller having just gone down with a devastating ACL injury that could keep him out of training camp or even some time of the 2014 season, but the Broncos are getting healthy slowly but surely.
In case you were caught up in presents, goodies, family, and fun as you ought have been, the Broncos worked on Christmas day and some key players returned to the office for the first time in a long time (for some).
In addition to getting back star corner Champ Bailey last week, hopefully for good, the Broncos saw the return of defensive lineman Derek Wolfe, who has been out since the first game of December when he suffered seizure-like symptoms on the way to the team flight.
Wolfe’s return will be huge for the Broncos’ defense in a number of ways, particularly in the pass rush/run stuffing department. There has been a significant dropoff in run defense numbers for the Broncos since he and Kevin Vickerson have been out.
Also returning to practice was Wes Welker, who suffered a concussion against the Tennessee Titans on a huge hit by George Wilson. Welker had another concussion not even three weeks prior, and though he has returned to practice is not likely to play against the Raiders in the season finale.
Against the San Diego Chargers, rookie cornerback Kayvon Webster broke his thumb and had surgery to repair it, and he will be back out on the field against the Raiders with a club if all goes according to plan. He practiced Wednesday as well.
Another sight for sore eyes at the practice facility was safety Rahim Moore, who attended practice and announced on his Facebook page that he would be back for the Broncos’ playoff games. Here’s his quote from his official Facebook page after Von Miller went down:
“Keep your head up Von you been my boy since Day one. Ill be back on the field for the first round of the playoffs.”
Little does Moore know he has a future in journalism if he gets inside scoops like that one.
All in all, it’s a big bit of great news for Denver, something they desperately needed after losing their star pass rusher to a season-ending injury.