The Broncos are woefully thin at inside linebacker after latest injury
Oct 19, 2021, 6:57 AM
Perhaps it’s just a strange coincidence. Or maybe just a sign of things not going the Broncos way of late. But a piece of bad news on the injury front certainly carried an “Are you kidding me?” elements to it.
Broncos ILB Alexander Johnson does have a torn pec, per sources. He’s done for year. Broncos lose both starting ILBers (Jewell, Johnson) to torn pecs. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) October 18, 2021
While not a rare injury, a torn pec isn’t exactly common, either. So to have it happen to two players in the first six weeks of the season is unusual. To have it happen to two players who man the same position is downright freaky.
But that’s the situation the Broncos find themselves in. Both of their starting inside linebackers are lost for the season.
That means it’s time to test the depth of the roster. It’s time to find out if George Paton has stocked the cupboard to the extent some people have suggested.
Justin Strnad has started in place of Jewell the past four weeks. The second-year linebacker has been okay in relief.
Micah Kiser will start in Johnson’s spot. He was signed by Denver after Week 2 after spending three-plus seasons with the Rams.
It’s once again “next man up” for the Broncos. They’re woefully thin at inside linebacker, so they’ll need a youngster and a newcomer to fill the void.
