Denver Broncos: 5 linebackers to consider with Josey Jewell injury
The Denver Broncos may be without Josey Jewell for a significant amount of time. If that’s the case, there are some linebackers they could sign.
The Denver Broncos might be without a key defensive starter for an extended period of time as NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has reported Josey Jewell may have suffered a serious pectoral injury. He suffered the injury on a special teams play in which he delivered a booming hit on the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ return man.
#Broncos LB Josie Jewell, who has emerged as one of their bright young stars on defense, is feared to have suffered a potentially significant pec injury, sources say. He’s having an MRI now to determine the specific injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2021
Rap Sheet’s inability to spell Josey Jewell’s name aside, the report is obviously a cause for concern.
It’s certainly not been talked about as much as other players on the team, but Jewell is in a contract year and he’s done a lot to earn the trust of the coaching staff over the past couple of seasons.
Obviously, there is a need for the Denver Broncos’ special teams unit to be better, but there is an inherent risk in putting any starter out there on special teams. Jewell is a player who goes 100 percent all the time and he delivered a punishing blow on the play that ultimately ended up costing him more than anything else.
Although Justin Strnad and Baron Browning will be expected to step up internally, we could see the Denver Broncos go after some veterans to potentially replace Jewell.
What players are available and who might make some sense for the team right now?
Let’s take a look at an oddly robust inside linebacker market in free agency right now.