The Broncos head to San Francisco with a cleaner bill of health than the 49ers, and that gap could matter in Week 4.
Denver’s final injury report brought good news on a few fronts. Marvin Mims Jr. is back after missing the last two games with a foot injury, giving the Broncos their All-Pro return man again.
Dobbins and Waddle are also set to play. Dobbins has been managing a hip issue but has not missed any full games, while Waddle’s foot injury from the Los Angeles Rams game was a surprise after he was seen leaving Empower Field at Mile High in a walking boot.
Even so, he was a full participant in all three practices this week.
The Broncos still have one player in doubt: Dondrea Tillman. If he can’t go, Denver could turn to a practice squad outside linebacker, and the expectation is that Johnny Walker would be the one elevated.
Nik Bonitto, Jonah Elliss, and Que Robinson are all healthy, so the Broncos can keep their four-man edge rotation intact if Walker gets the call. There’s also a chance they only carry three edge players and use the elevation elsewhere, with that decision expected Saturday.
Allen and Jones each logged one limited practice day, but both were simply getting rest.
Mims’ return gives Denver more than just a boost on special teams. The Broncos first tried Kris Abrams-Draine as the punt returner during Mims’ absence, but he was mostly a steady fair-catcher.
Last week, rookie returner Kolbe Katsis got the opportunity and delivered a record debut, even if a couple of punt returns got a little shaky. Now the Broncos have their top return man back, and the bigger question is how they plan to use him at receiver.
He showed last year’s playoff run that he can do plenty more than return kicks and punts.
San Francisco, meanwhile, is dealing with a much longer injury list. Nick Bosa has been ruled out, along with Mykel Williams, leaving the 49ers short two edge rushers, including a Pro Bowler. White is listed as questionable, so if he has any setback before Sunday, that number could climb to three edge defenders unavailable.
The 49ers are also waiting on Evans, who has started fast in his first year with the team and quickly built chemistry with Brock Purdy. If he ends up a game-time decision, that would ease some pressure on Denver’s secondary.
Greenlaw is another name to watch. The former Broncos linebacker is questionable, and while the expectation is that he’ll play, the final call won’t come until game day.
McCaffrey and Trent Williams both got rest days this week, but Williams is also dealing with a neck injury. His matchup with Bonitto looms as one of the key battles in the game.
In Other News...
Broncos Linebacker Struggles Are Forcing An Uncomfortable Veteran Debate
Through three weeks, the Broncos linebacker play has been a mixed bag, and the imbalance is becoming hard to ignore. Justin Strnad has held up well, but Alex Singleton has had a rough start, including a high missed-tackle rate that has put extra pressure on a defense trying to find steadier footing in the middle.
Bobby Wagner is the veteran name that naturally enters the discussion because he was productive last season even as his speed continued to decline. For Denver, the question is whether the need for help at linebacker is strong enough to make that phone call, and whether a late addition could tighten up a group that has yet to convince anyone it has settled in. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Injury Concerns Could Open A Big Door For Denver
The Broncos head into Week 4 in a much cleaner spot physically than a lot of teams around the league, with rookie running back Jonah Coleman on injured reserve and expected back in Week 7, while key pieces such as Mims are working their way back from injury. There is still some uncertainty on Denvers side, including the possibility that Tillman may not be available, but overall this is a team that can focus on football rather than the daily churn of the injury report.
San Francisco, meanwhile, is carrying a longer list of concerns, and one of the biggest is the absence of Bosa because of a calf injury that is expected to keep him out for several games. For Denver, that kind of situation can change the complexion of a matchup quickly, especially when a pass rush centerpiece is missing and depth gets tested. It is the sort of opening the Broncos have to be ready to press if they want to turn a cleaner bill of health into a real advantage. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Coach Is Pushing A Kickoff Change The NFL May Have To Hear
Darren Rizzi is already trying to shape the next conversation around kickoffs, and it is one that goes beyond Denvers own special teams room. The Broncos special teams coach wants the league to consider limiting the use of holders on kickoffs, arguing they should only be allowed when weather makes them necessary. To make sure the idea gets real traction, he has organized a conference call among special teams coordinators to talk through the issue.
Rizzis push comes in the wake of earlier NFL changes to kickoff procedures, which have already altered how teams approach one of the games most specialized plays. His concern is that the current setup can give clubs an unfair advantage, and the discussion now figures to test whether enough coaches around the league see the same problem. For Denver, it is another sign that Rizzi is not just managing the third phase, but trying to influence how it is played. [Read more 🡒]