Denver Broncos: Jake Butt done for year with ACL injury
By Tylor Walden
The Denver Broncos suffered their first blow of the 2018 season when Jake Butt tore his ACL during Thursday’s practice. The tight end will miss the year.
Injuries are a part of the game in the NFL. It is always a shame when a player suffers a major injury during practice. That happens to be the case with Jake Butt. Just three games into his first year of playing in the NFL and it is over, just like that.
During Thursday’s practice, Jake Butt suffered an ACL tear during special teams drills as the team prepares for the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. He underwent an MRI and it was confirmed. The ACL tear was in his left knee.
Remember that Butt had his ACL torn in his right knee during Michigan’s Orange Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles. To have both ACL’s torn in a matter of a year and a half is just devastating.
The Broncos are expected to put him on injured reserve. It has not been determined who will take Jake Butt’s spot on the roster. But it does leave the Broncos shorthanded at tight end.
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The team released Austin Traylor at final cuts in early September. Jeff Heuerman and Matt LaCosse are the only healthy tight ends on the roster. Brian Parker is also available on the practice squad.
How Denver will fill the roster spot remains to be seen. I would not be surprised to see them call up Brian Parker. The team could also call up Austin Traylor and see if he is available. There are also some tight ends like Anthony Fasano who are available via free agency.
Denver could also decide to fill the roster spot with another position of need. Plenty of directions to go in. But one thing is certain is that Jake Butt will be missed. He will finish the year with eight catches for 85 yards. He was playing a big part in the offense early on.