The Denver Broncos are keeping their heads high when it comes to Dre Greenlaw’s latest injury scare - and for good reason. Despite a non-contact hamstring injury that forced the veteran linebacker out of Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team isn’t planning to place him on injured reserve. That’s a strong signal that Greenlaw’s season isn’t over just yet.
The injury came late in the fourth quarter as Greenlaw was tracking Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. He pulled up suddenly, clearly in discomfort, and limped straight to the sideline.
Moments later, he was ruled out for the rest of the game. Non-contact injuries always raise red flags, especially this late in the season, but early signs suggest this one might not be as serious as it initially looked.
If his recovery stays on track, there’s optimism he could be back in time for the postseason.
That would be a huge win for a Broncos defense that’s been one of the league’s best all year. Greenlaw had just started to settle in after a bumpy stretch that included a quad injury and a one-game suspension.
His chemistry with fellow linebacker Alex Singleton was finally starting to click, giving Denver a physical, instinctive duo in the middle of the field. Now, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will need to adjust once again - and he’ll need to do it quickly with a Christmas Day showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on deck.
The good news? Help is on the way.
Linebacker Justin Strnad, who missed the last two games with a foot injury, was a full participant in Tuesday’s walkthrough and looks ready to go. He’s expected to slide into the starting lineup next to Singleton.
That’s a key reinforcement at a critical time. Rookie Karene Reid, who’s been on injured reserve since November, is also nearing a return and could be activated soon to bolster depth.
At 12-3, the Broncos are in the driver’s seat in the AFC West. Two more wins - against the Chiefs and Chargers - would lock up their first division title since 2015 and earn them a first-round bye.
That’s the kind of momentum any team dreams of heading into January. And while Greenlaw’s status remains up in the air for now, having him available for the playoff push would be a major lift for a defense that’s already playing at an elite level.
Denver knows what’s at stake. They’re not just chasing wins - they’re chasing a return to postseason relevance. And if things break right, Dre Greenlaw could be part of that story when it matters most.