Broncos injury report: Justin Simmons ‘hopeful’ he will play against Chargers

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It was nothing but optimism from safety Justin Simmons on Thursday as he works to get all the way back from a quadriceps injury in time for the Broncos to activate him Monday.

“I’m hoping I can go Monday,” he said. “That’s the goal, and it would be a good one to come back on, Monday night against the Chargers.”

However, there is only so much work that Simmons can do on the practice field — especially given the nature of his injury.

“Things like this, it’s almost like a hamstring,” he said before his second practice of the week Thursday. “Everything feels great, and then you get out there, and it’s different on game day.

“I try and replicate as much as I can like a game-day experience in practice. But obviously, I’m not hitting and taking guys to the ground. There will be similar movements, but it’s those quick-twitch movements that catch you off-guard that are really hard to replicate.

“But I feel good and I’m hopeful.”

The other two players designated for return from injured reserve — CB Michael Ojemudia and TE Greg Dulcich — also practiced Thursday. Hackett said that he was “hoping” all three would be ready and activated for Monday night.

“That’s what we’re looking for. We’re going to try to get them out here practicing and see where they’re at,” he said.

“We would definitely like them to be fully ready, but we’ll just have to try to evaluate that throughout practice.”

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WHILE THE NEWS APPEARS PROMISING for the players coming off injured reserve, LG Dalton Risner suffered what Hackett described as a “little back issue” Thursday morning. He did not practice,

Joining Risner on the sideline was ILB Josey Jewell, who suffered a knee sprain last week and is considered “week-to-week.”

Among the players seeing limited work Thursday was CB Damarri Mathis, who replaced Ronald Darby against Indianapolis seven days earlier. Mathis worked on the north field — used by players recovering from injuries — during Tuesday’s practice.

Mathis had a knee issue, Hackett said.

“Just a little banged up,” Mathis added, “but just getting better every day.”

Also limited Thursday were:

• RB Mike Boone (foot)
• Edge rusher Jonathon Cooper (hamstring)
• RB Melvin Gordon (neck/ribs)
• RG Quinn Meinerz (hamstring)
• CB Darius Phillips (hamstring)
• NT Mike Purcell (ankle)
• TE Eric Saubert (thigh)
• S Caden Sterns (hip)
• RT Billy Turner (knee)
• CB K’Waun Williams (wrist)
• QB Russell Wilson (lat)

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