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Denver Broncos Christmas gifts and lumps of coal for 2019

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Bradley Chubb #55 and Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos celebrate after a second quarter Chubb sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Bradley Chubb #55 and Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos celebrate after a second quarter Chubb sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High on September 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Lump of coal: Injuries

Injuries are part of football, so we can’t necessarily be surprised by this lump of coal, but the Broncos have suffered a lot of injuries to star players this year, many of the season-ending variety.

The most critical injury to this point has been the loss of outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Broncos who had a stellar rookie season and was in line to make a huge jump forward in the 2019 season.

Unfortunately, we only got to see him for four games.

Chubb played well in those for games even though he and the rest of the Broncos had trouble getting sacks on the quarterback (he did get one), and his absence has been one of the biggest bummers of the 2019 season for the Broncos.

It’s not only Chubb, though. The Broncos have plenty of key starters this year who have struggled with injuries.

  • CB Bryce Callahan has not played after getting his previously injured foot stepped on in training camp.
  • DE Derek Wolfe went on season-ending IR with an elbow injury.
  • FB Andy Janovich went on season-ending IR with an elbow injury.
  • RT Ja’Wuan James has missed the majority of 2019 with MCL and meniscus injuries
  • QB Joe Flacco went on IR with a neck injury
  • RG Ron Leary has missed time with a serious concussion
  • CB De’Vante Bausby went on IR with a spinal injury
  • RB Theo Riddick has missed the whole season with a collarbone injury

Obviously, many other players have been battling with and through injuries this season. Drew Lock also missed a lot of the season with a thumb injury he suffered in preseason play.

Injuries always stink, but this year, the bug has bitten the Broncos hard.

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