Broncos injury update: Mike Boone nears return
Nov 28, 2022, 8:14 PM
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — One reason the Broncos finally parted ways with Melvin Gordon last week was that they knew Mike Boone was close to returning from a high-ankle sprain.
Now, they could have Boone back soon.
The veteran running back — used mostly on third downs and special teams — could return to practice this week.
“The plan right now is we’re hoping to get Mike Boone to start his clock,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday.
Denver placed Boone on injured reserve on Oct. 24. One day earlier, he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Broncos’ loss to the New York Jets. Boone has been seen working on the north rehab field at UCHealth Training Center on occasion in recent weeks.
Boone had to remain on IR for four games before being eligible for return.
Denver also waived fellow RB Devine Ozigbo on Monday. The Broncos promoted him from the practice squad to play in Sunday’s loss at Carolina. He had a single carry for 3 yards, playing 4 offensive snaps in total.
The news remains murkier for edge rusher Randy Gregory. He landed on injured reserve Oct. 4 after undergoing a knee scope following an injury suffered in the Week 4 defeat at Las Vegas.
“Randy, that’s still up in the air. He might need a little bit more time,” Hackett said.
Denver has already designated four players for return from injured reserve this season: safety Justin Simmons, tight end Greg Dulcich, cornerback Michael Ojemudia, and long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer. Boone would be the fifth player. Teams can designate eight players for return from IR in a season.
The Broncos did emerge from the game with two hamstring injuries to LB Dakota Allen and TE Andrew Beck. Beck missed two games against Tennessee and Las Vegas due to a hamstring injury. Both Allen and Beck are “day-to-day,” Hackett said.
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