After placing one starter on injured reserve earlier this week, the Denver Broncos have now designated another. Outside linebacker Baron Browning has been sent to IR, with wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey taking his spot on the 53-man roster.
Browning sustained a foot injury during the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s unfortunate, but rookie Jonah Elliss stepped up by recording a sack in Browning’s absence.
With Browning out for at least four weeks, the Broncos promoted Dondrea Tillman to the active roster. While they are high on the former XFL player, Browning’s absence is certainly a setback.
Browning is undeniably talented, but injuries have plagued him. While some might call it bad luck, staying healthy is a key trait of elite NFL players.
On the other hand, Humphrey is finally getting his chance. It was surprising he didn’t make the 53-man roster out of training camp, but he was later re-signed to the practice squad. Having been elevated in both games this season, he shone as one of the few offensive bright spots in Week 2. However, the Broncos are out of free elevations for him.
If they elevate him again, they would need to waive him and risk losing him before he could be re-signed. By putting him on the 53-man roster now, they avoid that scenario.
In other injury updates, Nix will be glad to see that fellow rookie Devaughn Vele has been cleared to play on Sunday in Tampa after suffering a rib injury in the season opener. Vele caught all eight of his targets in Week 1, totaling 39 yards.
It would have been beneficial to have a fully healthy linebacker corps this week, especially since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are missing their starting right tackle. Just when it seems the Broncos might catch a break, another challenge arises.
Such is the plight of struggling teams. The Broncos continue to navigate the NFL’s narrow margin for error.
