Broncos injury update: Justin Simmons not expected to play
Nov 12, 2022, 6:04 PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee isn’t the only team playing at Nissan Stadium without key defensive starters.
The Broncos, already without cornerback Ronald Darby and edge rushers Randy Gregory and Baron Browning, will also have to make do without Justin Simmons. According to multiple reports, a knee injury will sideline him for Sunday’s game.
Thus, both the Broncos and Titans will play without four defensive starters. Tennessee’s dominant Simmons — defensive lineman Jeffery — did not practice this week due to an ankle injury and was ruled out on Friday. Joining him on the sideline will be OLB Bud Dupree, ILB Zach Cunningham and safety Amani Hooker.
Simmons missed four games earlier this season due to a thigh injury suffered late in the Week 1 loss at Seattle. He went on injured reserve in Week 2, snapping a streak of 66 consecutive starts. Overall, he has almost as many games missed this season (5) as in his first six NFL seasons (6).
With Caden Sterns on injured reserve due to a hip injury, P.J. Locke will start in Simmons’ place. This would be the first start of Locke’s career.
In all, the Broncos will play this game without 12 first-teamers or players moved to the first team due to injuries. In addition to Simmons, these starters will miss Sunday’s game:
- FB/TE Andrew Beck (hamstring, ruled out)
- LS Jacob Bobenmoyer (hand/wrist injury, injured reserve)
- LT Garett Bolles (fractured ankle, injured reserve)
- Edge rusher Baron Browning (hip, ruled out)
- C Lloyd Cushenberry (groin injury, injured reserve)
- CB Ronald Darby (torn ACL, injured reserve)
- OT Cam Fleming (quadriceps, did not travel to Nashville)
- Edge rusher Randy Gregory (knee scope, injured reserve)
- WR K.J. Hamler (hamstring, ruled out)
- WR Tim Patrick (torn ACL, injured reserve)
- RB Javonte Williams (knee, injured reserve)
It’s a “next man up” league, but eventually you run out of “next men.” The Broncos aren’t at that point yet. But there will be a lot of talent not in uniform against the AFC South pace-setters.
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