Denver Broncos: Courtland Sutton’s attitude ‘fantastic’ in recovery from torn ACL
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton missed the majority of the 2020 season after he suffered a torn ACL during the week two matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Everybody is expecting Sutton to be back full-go during the 2021 season.
On Monday, the team began Organized Team Activities, and head coach Vic Fangio gave an update on Sutton’s status.
It’s a good one.
"“He’s not doing everything. I don’t think he ran routes today in the ‘skelly’ periods. We’re kind of easing him in. Some days he will and some days he won’t. His rehab has been fantastic thus far. He’s had a great attitude.”— Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio (Quotes from Broncos PR)."
Fangio also stated that he expects that Sutton will be ahead of schedule.
"“I’ll be surprised if he’s not ready to go sooner than what the timetable might be. He’s had a great offseason and he’s had a great effect in the training room with the other guys that are rehabbing. He’s been infectious in that way. Courtland is a stud, and it won’t be long before he’s out there.”"
This is not only great news for Sutton, but it is also important for the entire team. The Broncos really missed Sutton in 2020, after he recorded over 114 receptions for 1,816 yards and 10 touchdowns during the course of his first two full seasons in which he played all 32 possible regular season games.
Sutton is the team’s top wide receiver, but that doesn’t mean that he will necessarily see all of the targets he got during his first two seasons in the league. While Sutton was out, quarterback Drew Lock really made it a point to feed rookie Jerry Jeudy (113 targets), and fellow 2019 draft pick Noah Fant 93 targets) the ball.
Tim Patrick stepped up, as well. Patrick saw 79 targets and led the Denver Broncos with six receiving touchdowns.
At this point, Sutton missing some time isn’t a huge deal. It is obviously better to get him back at one-hundred percent rather than rushing him back just so he can get a couple of extra reps and risk further injury to his ACL.
The NFL has changed their preseason routine in 2021 and will only have three preseason games, as opposed to four, which had been the case prior to 2021.
As stated in the quote above, Sutton’s presence around the team is highly noticed and is a big part of the chemistry among the players. It will be great to see him back out on the football field when things pick up and we get to see the type of player that he can be.
Hopefully, it will be like he never missed a beat during his time off the field. The chemistry between him and Drew Lock is a great thing to see. That should continue for the 2021 season and potentially beyond with the Denver Broncos.