Denver Broncos Get Silver Lining To Crushing Injury

According to Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos were dealt a crushing blow on the injury front as Drew Sanders suffered an achilles tendon tear before the draft in April. While this seems like horrible news, there are lots of upsides for Sean Payton and this team. Our deepest position is arguably our edge rush- while we don't have a Von Miller or Micah Parsons, we do have a platoon of guys who can get the job done with Nick Bonitto, Baron Browning, Jonathan Cooper, and newly drafted Jonah Ellis. I also think at 22 years old, Sanders will be able to recover much quicker than an aging Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins and achilles injuries are not the death nail they were just a decade ago.
The downside of this is that Sanders will miss out on pretty important preseason workouts and install as well as at least the first 8 weeks of the Denver Broncos season. How big of a deal is this for the Denver Broncos? Does it change your outlook on the season?
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @sportstalkdenver
Denver Broncos News
Denver Broncos Rumors
Denver Broncos Updates
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos NFL
Denver NFL Football

[@Cashfootball]

Well, drew sanders was still most likely going to be a backup and we also drafted Jonah Ellis. But I wish that drew sanders recovers quick and gets the starting role.

[@SportsTalkDenver]

My thoughts exactly! I feel like we’ve had years where we’ve just had waves of great pass rushers so no one ever got tired and I was hoping Sanders could be part of that but I’m very happy we got Jonah so that he’s not quite as crucial.

[@Cashfootball]

@@SportsTalkDenver did you hit 9k yet?

[@TuMucFun]

Cody Barton is the starter anyway

[@user-zr4km5ns8t]

He was originally supposed to become a starting inside linebacker who could cover tight ends. Instead they decided to put him in the mix as a rotational edge rusher where he could become one of 5 guys in that role. I don't understand the positional value of doing that when we are STILL looking to fill a gaping hole in the ILB room for a player with coverage skills. Maybe if Ellis balls out it will cause them to rethink the role they were going with. That's the only silver lining I can see here.

[@rluellam]

You are stubborn about your chosen sign-off. Hurts my heart to be reminded of RW every evening. That being said, I don't think the Broncos wanted other teams to know we would be hoping to draft an edge rusher. It explains why we brought in Ellis. I feel bad for Drew, but the Broncos will be in good shape. I think our pass rush will be one of the strengths of the team.

[@kevlar8658]

Even if he does play this year, he won't be full speed until next year. Really sad because I like this dude, he's legit. Hopefully next year is his year, wishing him a quick recovery. Go Broncos!

[@danielb7660]

I am convinced that due to the altitude effect that Denver has more injuries of this type over the years than other teams or so it seems. I think they should have mandatory swimming each day to become more limber and to increase their oxygen / lung capacity. As a former lifeguard (part time from 15 until I was 30) I worked with dozens of people recovering from injuries up in Wyoming at UW and in Cheyenne. "High altitudes can cause low oxygen saturation levels or desaturation of an individual's blood. It happens because of low atmospheric pressure at high altitudes. Oxygen saturation levels refer to the extent hemoglobin is bound or saturated to oxygen." I think I am on to something here?

[@seansteyer8851]

I ruptured my achilles, and it was a full 9 month recovery and I was certainly not in football shape. I think with the new kickoff rules guys like Sanders who are big and fast will be needed for the coverage team. I think that is where we will miss him.

[@MahiMahi4757-zr9zf]

Had a lot of hope for Drew.

[@jakobapodaca2004]

Ben you need to check out the Bo Nix documentary if you haven’t already, it’s so good and just shows us how good he is going to be for us this season.

[@mikehomner4724]

Good luck to Drew Sander recovery. Now if we could just get Ben's hand to heal, he could make a basket... :):)

[@mhgaffney]

I don't understand the comment below that Sanders was going to be a backup. No, Sanders is exactly what Denver needs in the middle of the field to stop the run. He is faster than the other Denver LBs so can cover sideline to sideline. He also has the size to maybe cover tight ends which has been a need for years. Hope and pray this kid can make a speedy recovery and comes back better than ever.

[@Ullumma]

Thanks for keeping up on the deets

[@poecastillo9563]

We have depth. Plus it’s early in the offseason. Lot of talent out there still.

[@TT79-]

Good thing we passed on Payton Wilson and took a weak pass rusher instead. This def is 2 injuries away from bottom 3 in the entire league.

[@davidjuhl1174]

Every injury bumbs me out, I don't want any of the players to be injured specially an injury that will affect their lives. But we will come back and still get the W

[@ShilohHeesch]

Achilles injuries are a lot to return from. The amount of tension that it goes through simply from walking is immense, let alone actively running, cutting, and jumping. Give the man a year and he'll be rocking OTAs and training camp in 2024. We aren't winning the Super Bowl next year so let's not go one step forward and two steps back with regards to health and safety.

[@Ljay_TheTruth]

Have you ever torn your Achilles? If not don’t speak on it! I tore mine and was back on the field 9 months later and got an interception my first game. He’s young! He will bounce right back! I was running 3 months after surgery and didn’t have half the rehab the nfl has! I was at a juco!

[@ShilohHeesch]

@@Ljay_TheTruth I'm a sports Medicine doctor and have had multiple orthopedic surgeries myself. I'm more than qualified to be considered a subject expert. Also, I didn't say he COULDN'T play, it would likely be the smartest not to. And anecdotal evidence is the lowest form of evidence.

[@Ljay_TheTruth]

@@ShilohHeesch I won’t argue with a doctor, You know more than me! But I played football in college and tore mine. I came back just fine and have no ill effects .. now I may be more subtle to tear again maybe; now you tear it at 30+ age while playing sports I agree you’re f*****!!!

[@ShilohHeesch]

@@Ljay_TheTruth as a reminder, I never said his career is over or he couldn't play. He could easily play 10 years in the league. But at 22/23 years old, it's probably best he sits out the season. Also glad you were able to return back to the college level with success. Always happy to have an athlete get back to their sport 💯

[@Ljay_TheTruth]

@@ShilohHeesch no I know I agree! I didn’t know you were a doctor. So I trust your opinion. I’m just speaking as someone who has been through it. Deff a season ender for sure. I was younger when I tore mine as well! But if I tore it now at 34 my career would be over … or anybody’s for that matter if you’re playing football! I’m surprised KD came back!

[@John-hs4om]

As soon as I saw it on Instagram I knew you started making a video. Tough loss especially cause we thought he was going make a big jump

[@sloopers7641]

11-6 LET'S RIDE

[@koreemblackston1812]

We should rest him for the season. We have depth at linebacker

[@roryp6104]

He’ll be back in time for our Playoff run.

[@danielb7660]

Feel so bad for Drew. He can come back.

[@kongthao5121]

Can we do something about the MLB position? We haven’t got anyone who can cover TE or RB since Trevathan

[@SportsTalkDenver]

I'm crazy pumped to see Jonas Griffith back in this defense! If he stays healthy he has an INSANELY high ceiling! He was originally a starter over Alex Singleton before his injury! I'm trying to compile a video of my favorite plays he made before injury but I totally believe in him!

[@brianflynn7148]

If he did it before the draft, that was a month ago already so he could be ready sooner than later

[@TomKite51]

At the position he plays.. it is highly likely he misses the full season. Terrible injury in general... even worse for what hes asked to do at his position. Best case scenario is he returns to an NFL caliber player like he was before, fuck even trying to come this season.

[@brianbadonde9251]

This sounds like someone who's never played football before just repeating what other analysts have said

[@cesarelias3021]

I don't like seeing anyone get injured but what a waste of a 3rd round pick 🙄 😒

[@Kuaiwa88]

Your weirdly optimistic.

[@SportsTalkDenver]

Haha- thanks? I really just don't see Sean Payton being worse with a QB who can run his system and all the talent we've added...

[@brandonbarrett8928]

Fuck