Denver Broncos: David Bruton played with broken leg

Denver Broncos safety David Bruton, who is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, apparently played against the Steelers with a broken fibula…

David Bruton is a freaking beast.

The Broncos’ Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate showed exactly what kind of teammate he is on Sunday against the Steelers, playing more than 60 snaps with a broken fibula, an injury that will now keep him sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

Bruton has been a steadily improving player for the Broncos since 2009, one of the truly underrated utility defensive/special teams players in the NFL. Our own Aric Manthey wrote a piece about Bruton back in October documenting just how important he has been to this Broncos team…

His absence will certainly be felt in the Broncos’ defensive backfield. He is arguably the team’s best cover safety after starting out his NFL career in 2009 as primarily a special teams ace with vertical speed, and not much more. Over the years, Bruton — who was a substitute teacher during the NFL’s lockout in 2011 — has become a community leader, team captain, and one of the baddest defensive players around.

Not having him in the rotation defensively is a huge blow for the Broncos, as small of a deal as it might seem to outsiders.

Bruton is a crucial player on special teams as well as on the defense, and he has the ability to affect games by constantly being around the ball. He essentially sealed the Broncos’ victory over the Detroit Lions earlier this season with a tipped pass that he also intercepted, and he’s been involved in a number of other big plays this year.

Broncos fans have grown to love Bruton, who is one of the longest tenured players on the team. Hopefully he’s able to progress quickly with the healing of this fibula injury and can get back out on the field in the playoffs.