Denver Broncos down contributors vs Chargers due to COVID protocols
The Denver Broncos will be without eight players due to the NFL COVID-19 protocols.
Despite the updated COVID-19 protocols that were just put in place, the Denver Broncos will still be without eight players because of the virus. All eight players reportedly tested positive and will miss this week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The updated COVID-19 protocols in the NFL require players to quarantine for five days rather than ten. Since the tests were confirmed on Thursday, these players are eligible to return for the season finale. However, how much will they play since they won’t be allowed to practice?
The players that have been placed on the list are:
- WR Tim Patrick
- CB Bryce Callahan
- T Bobby Massie
- OLB Stephen Weatherly
- CB/ST Mike Ford
- S Caden Sterns
- WR Tyrie Cleveland (practice squad)
Patrick is third on the team in receptions (47), second in receiving yards with 639, and leads the team in receiving touchdowns (5). He’s been a very reliable weapon despite the team’s quarterback woes.
Callahan has 25 tackles on the season including three tackles for loss. his absence could mean that the Broncos will move a guy like rookie Patrick Surtain around.
Callahan was a highly-coveted free agent in 2019. He chose to sign with the Denver Broncos because of his relationship with head coach Vic Fangio, who was his defensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears.
This will be Massie’s third missed game of the season. Despite that, the former fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals has played quite well for the Broncos this season. He has made the right tackle position an afterthought to some people after the Broncos went through many years of trying to figure out their long-term answer there.
Weatherly was a sneaky trade acquisition from the Minnesota Vikings prior to the trade deadline. Weatherly snagged 2.5 sacks and 14 total tackles since arriving in Denver.
Sterns appears to be a solid mid-round selection by the Denver Broncos. He filled in and played 100 percent of the team’s snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11 with Kareem Jackson out.
On the season, Sterns has 19 total tackles (16 solo), two interceptions, and has defended five passes. Sterns also has two interceptions—against the New York Jets and the Dallas Cowboys.
Cleveland was a seventh-round pick by the team. He primarily plays special teams and has made four tackles. Mike Ford is a key contributor on special teams. He has six tackles for the team and has been a tremendous asset to the team’s special teams unit. On most, if not all, of the team’s kick/punt units, Ford gets to the return man with ease.
With Cleveland and Patrick out, the Broncos will have rookie Seth Williams active for the game.
The Denver Broncos will need to fill these spots and hopefully with reliable options. Massie’s spot will be taken by Cam Fleming with Calvin Anderson on injured reserve. With Patrick and Cleveland out, we’ll get to see more targets to Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy, as well as Kendall Hinton.
Unfortunately, we won’t get to see Sterns, but the safety positions will be taken over by the team’s starters in Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. The team just won’t have that versatility of Sterns as an extra defensive back.
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers square off on Sunday at 4:05 ET.