Broncos place DL Kenny Anunike on season-ending IR

The Denver Broncos placed DL Kenny Anunike on season-ending IR to make room for QB Christian Ponder on the 53-man active roster.

The Kenny Anunike dream has once again ended for all Broncos fans with a trip to injured reserve for the talented but health-challenged defensive lineman.

Anunike had a dominant preseason debut, was injured, kept on the active roster to start the season, and has played and been active for a number of games this season. He’s registered just one tackle, and apparently hasn’t been playing at 100 percent. Excuse me for a moment…

It’s a true shame to see a second straight season end for the promising defensive end out of Duke, who put on some weight this offseason in order to play defensive end in the Broncos’ 3-4 defense. He has excellent quickness and uses his strength and power really well to make plays in the backfield.

It apparently just wasn’t working out this year health-wise, and if he needs time off to rehab, then so be it.

This move doesn’t sit well from a fan standpoint, but the Broncos have a bigger issue on their hands with the health of Peyton Manning, who is clearly not well. Manning’s injury has seemingly progressed from serious to ultra-serious as Denver made it a point to place a waiver claim on Jimmy Clausen before ultimately signing Christian Ponder on Wednesday.

Anunike will have a chance to come back next offseason and compete for a roster spot where the Broncos could be without one or both of Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson, who are free agents this coming offseason.

Hopefully the departure of Anunike from the rotation is an indicator that DeMarcus Ware might be back this week against the Patriots, or at least back sooner than later.

We will miss you, Kenny.