Mile High Report
According to multiple reports, first by DNVR’s Zac Stevens, the Broncos have placed linebacker Dre Greenlaw on the short-term injured reserve due to a lingering quad injury. This will sideline him for at least four weeks, and the earliest he could return is in Week 7 vs. the New York Giants. According to reports, Greenlaw suffered a small setback during practice this week, and the team is placing him on the IR to be cautious and make sure he can get healthy.
Greenlaw was one of the Broncos’ bigger free agent additions this past winter, but so far, he hasn’t seen the field much at all. He initially suffered this quad injury back in April, and it sidelined him throughout the offseason. He was good to go for training camp, but would soon suffer another quad injury during camp. This would sideline him for most of training camp, all the preseason games, and then continue to linger into the start of the regular season. He was ruled out for the season opener vs. the Titans, then again for their week 2 matchup vs. the Colts, and then again for this Sunday’s game for the Chargers. Now, he will have four weeks to get his quad right and hopefully, be able to take the field for the Broncos and elevate their defense like we all hoped he would.
He will miss games against the Chargers, Bengals, Eagles, and Jets at least, and will be able to return for the Giants game in Week 7 if he is finally able to shake this injury.
With Greenlaw being a non-factor so far, the Broncos’ linebacker woes have continued. Alex Singleton had a rough outing vs. the Colts, Justin Strnad is a special teamer, Drew Sanders is on the injured reserve, Garrett Wallow is a special teamer, and Karene Reid and Levelle Bailey are inexperienced and unproven. This weakness will be targeted by teams moving forward, and the Broncos will need one of these players to step up, or they will once again be a liability for them on the defensive side of the ball.
No corresponding roster move has been announced as of yet, but I would assume Levelle Bailey would get signed to the 53-man roster with Greenlaw now on the injured reserve. Either way, this is a disappointing development for the Broncos, who play some key games in the coming weeks. Hopefully, we see someone step up and Greenlaw is able to get healthy for a second-half postseason push for the Broncos.
