Broncos LB Brandon Marshall Will Play vs. Chiefs on SNF

If stopping Jamaal Charles is the key to beating the Kansas City Chiefs, then having linebacker Brandon Marshall is going to be huge for the Denver Broncos. After passing all the tests and being medically cleared by a third-party physician, Marshall will play for the Broncos vs. the Chiefs, everyone collectively breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Marshall, who is filling in for the injured Danny Trevathan, is having a monster year from the weakside linebacker position for the Broncos as well as the guy getting all the defensive calls from Jack Del Rio.

Playing the weakside spot, Marshall has been an absolute beast for the Broncos this year, racking up 44 ‘stops’ or plays that constitute an offensive failure (per Pro Football Focus advanced metrics). He leads Von Miller in that category by 18 stops this season, by far the team’s leader in that category. He also leads the team with 94 total tackles this season, and has added six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a sack.

Marshall’s production is not surprising in the fact that the Broncos have had three different players now with ridiculous success playing the weakside linebacker spot. His production is surprising in the fact that the former fourth round pick out of Nevada was cut from the Jacksonville Jaguars and came up from the Broncos’ practice squad to be an opening day starter on arguably the best team in the league.

He’s answered the call, and the Broncos have found yet another gem at the linebacker spot after watching breakout seasons from Wesley Woodyard and Danny Trevathan at this position in Jack Del Rio’s defense. Del Rio might have his shortcomings, particularly a lack of blitzing which is currently driving Broncos fans crazy, but he certainly knows how to best use his linebackers, especially in coverage where Marshall has also excelled this year. For whatever this is worth, outside of Chris Harris Jr., Marshall is the Broncos’ highest graded defender in pass coverage.

Having him available for the Chiefs game, the Broncos will have to really closely monitor his situation on the field. Obviously he’s going to be making a lot of hits, and the fact that he’s always around the ball, the Broncos need to be alert for more symptoms of another concussion.

This is a big bit of news for the Broncos, who have also seen progress this week from tight end Julius Thomas and cornerback Aqib Talib.