The Denver Broncos are finally going to get the chance to see one of their key offseason pickups, running back Mike Boone, play vs. the Raiders.
Good injury news has been hard to come by for the Denver Broncos over the last few seasons. Especially early on in the 2021 season, it’s been one thing after another, almost no fewer than one devastating injury for the team per week since the season began.
Thankfully, things are getting better on the injury front.
I guess time does heal a lot of wounds.
Against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Denver Broncos will get to finally see one of their top offseason acquisitions with the return of running back Mike Boone.
Denver Broncos finally getting to see Mike Boone on Sunday
We’ve activated RB Mike Boone from IR, elevated WRs John Brown and Tyrie Cleveland and placed CB Mike Ford on IR.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 16, 2021
We've also designated WR Jerry Jeudy for return from IR.
An exciting offseason, at least from what had been reported and what the coaches were saying, Boone was having a tremendous offseason. The Denver Broncos signed Boone, a former Minnesota Vikings backup and special teamer, to a two-year contract in free agency.
That was the move that directly preceded the team parting ways with fan-favorite Phillip Lindsay, who signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.
Boone, just like Lindsay, was a rookie free agent in the class of 2018. He made the Vikings’ roster as a special teams player but has had the opportunity to show what he can do with more opportunities as a runner and receiver over the last couple of seasons.
He will finally get the chance to show what he can do on the field for the Broncos after a hamstring injury in joint practices with his former team, the Vikings, stopped his promising offseason dead in its tracks.
Although the Denver Broncos have a couple of really good three-down backs in Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, Boone brings a different type of speed to the table.
Who knows how much we will see him against the Raiders? You might be more likely to see number 26 as a kickoff returner or gunner on special teams than as a running back, but the Broncos would be wise to get him some opportunities.
At the expense of getting additional touches for Williams or Gordon, though?
Even if the Broncos just bring Boone in for a couple of series in this game against the Raiders, he has the type of home run hitting speed to break a defense down if the team gets behind the sticks in a longer down and distance.
The screen game has been virtually non-existent for Pat Shurmur’s offense so far this season, and a player like Boone could really help out there.
The Broncos will obviously want to establish a ground game against the Raiders and control time of possession, so maybe we will see more Boone this week than we think.
His initial injury timeline should have had him back on the field sooner than Week 6, but the Broncos were probably just playing it safe given how tricky hamstring injuries can be.
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Having Boone for this critical matchup against the Raiders may seem small, but it could be a big difference maker.