The Denver Broncos are coming off a tough home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars - a two-score defeat that stung not just on the scoreboard, but on the injury front as well. With the Kansas City Chiefs looming in Week 17, Denver’s roster is suddenly looking a little thinner in some key spots.
Let’s start with wide receiver Pat Bryant, who exited Sunday’s game after taking a hard - and notably unpenalized - hit while in a defenseless position. He was taken to the hospital and later diagnosed with a concussion.
While that’s a better outcome than some feared in the moment, it’s still likely to sideline him this week as he works through the league’s concussion protocol. That’s a blow for a Broncos offense already searching for rhythm.
On the defensive side, linebacker Dre Greenlaw left late in the game with a hamstring injury - and those are always tricky. Hamstrings don’t heal on a set schedule, and Greenlaw’s status for Week 18 is officially up in the air.
But for this week? Don’t count on seeing him on the field.
His absence would leave a noticeable gap in Denver’s second level, especially against a Chiefs offense that thrives on finding mismatches in the short and intermediate areas.
The Broncos also have a couple of depth concerns to monitor. Tight end Nate Adkins, who had just returned from a lengthy absence, is back on the injury report with a knee issue.
That’s a tough break for a player trying to re-establish himself in the rotation. Meanwhile, center Luke Wattenberg is dealing with a shoulder injury and has missed practice time.
Denver’s offensive line has already been shuffled more than they’d like this season, and losing Wattenberg would only add to that instability.
Here’s a look at the Broncos’ current injury report:
Denver Broncos Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Game Status |
|---|
| Riley Moss | CB | Ankle | Full | | | | | Ben Powers | G | Biceps | Full | | | |
| Karene Reid | ILB | Hamstring | Full | | | | | Justin Strnad | ILB | Foot | Full | | | |
| Nate Adkins | TE | Knee | DNP | | | | | Pat Bryant | WR | Concussion | DNP | | | |
| Dre Greenlaw | LB | Hamstring | DNP | | | | | Luke Wattenberg | C | Shoulder | DNP | | | |
On the flip side, the Chiefs are mostly healthy - and that’s not great news for Denver. Kansas City’s injury report is long, but most of their key contributors were full participants in practice.
That includes tight end Jake Briningstool, safety Mike Edwards, cornerback Kristian Fulton, and offensive lineman Trey Smith. All were listed with minor ailments but practiced without restriction.
However, there are a few names to keep an eye on. Cornerback Trent McDuffie didn’t practice due to a knee issue, and wide receiver Rashee Rice is in the concussion protocol - a situation that mirrors Pat Bryant’s in Denver. If Rice can’t go, that would be a significant loss for Patrick Mahomes and company, as Rice has become a reliable target in the Chiefs’ passing game.
Here’s a snapshot of the Chiefs’ injury status:
Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report
| Player | Position | Injury | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Game Status |
|---|
| Jake Briningstool| TE | Hamstring | Full | | | | | Mike Edwards | S | Shoulder | Full | | | |
| Kristian Fulton | CB | Knee / Wrist | Full | | | | | Noah Gray | TE | Shoulder | Full | | | |
| Nazeeh Johnson | CB | Shoulder | Full | | | | | Esa Pole | T | Knee | Full | | | |
| Nikko Remigio | WR | Knee | Full | | | | | Trey Smith | G | Ankle | Full | | | |
| Jaylon Moore | T | Knee | Limited| | | | | Derrick Nnadi | DT | Illness | Limited| | | |
| Trent McDuffie | CB | Knee | DNP | | | | | Rashee Rice | WR | Concussion | DNP | | | |
| Tyquan Thornton | WR | Concussion | DNP | | | | | Jaylen Watson | CB | Groin | DNP | | | |
As the Broncos prepare for a critical divisional matchup, health is becoming a real concern. With key contributors on both sides of the ball either out or trending that way, the margin for error gets even slimmer. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are getting healthier at just the right time - and that could make all the difference in a game with major playoff implications.