The Denver Broncos walked away with a win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but the victory didn’t come without a price. The defense, which has been rounding into form in recent weeks, took a couple of tough hits-most notably in the secondary and linebacker corps.
Safety Brandon Jones has been placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, and it's not the kind where you just tape it up and play through. This one’s serious enough that he’s getting a second opinion, and if surgery is on the table-which it very well could be-his season might be over.
That’s a tough blow for a Broncos defense that’s already dealt with its share of attrition this season. Earlier in the year, Pat Surtain battled a pec issue too, but Jones’ situation appears more severe.
Adding to the concern is linebacker Justin Strnad, who may be dealing with a significant right ankle injury. The team hasn’t confirmed the extent just yet, but the early signs aren’t encouraging.
If Strnad is out for any length of time, Denver’s linebacker depth gets tested in a big way. That would leave Dre Greenlaw, Alex Singleton, and rookie Jordan Turner to hold down the fort, with Levelle Bailey available on the practice squad if needed.
It’s not a crisis yet, but it’s a situation that could get thin in a hurry if another injury crops up.
There is, however, a bit of encouraging news. Running back RJ Harvey, who took a shot to the ribs during the game, appears to have avoided anything serious.
While the team hasn't made an official statement, the early word is that Harvey’s injury isn’t in the same category of concern as Jones or Strnad. That’s a relief for a backfield that’s already been rotating bodies throughout the season.
Speaking of the backfield, the Broncos added some depth on Monday by claiming Cody Schrader off waivers. Schrader spent most of this season with the Jaguars, and interestingly enough, Jacksonville is coming to town this Sunday. It’s unclear how quickly Schrader will get up to speed, but given the physical style he brings, he could carve out a role if Harvey’s ribs linger or if the team wants to keep fresh legs in the rotation.
All in all, the Broncos got the win, but the injury fallout is something to watch closely. With a playoff push still in reach, Denver’s depth-especially on defense-will be tested.