The Denver Broncos about as good as a team can at this stage of the season in the health department, save of course for the fact that their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, is going to miss the AFC Championship Game after breaking his ankle last week.
Aside from that, the Broncos have few injury concerns and even look likely to get several injured players back in the lineup for the matchup against the New England Patriots. All eyes will be on running back J.K. Dobbins and whether or not he can return from a foot injury suffered in Week 10. That will likely be a close call.
However, starting center Luke Wattenberg, who has been on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, is back practicing and has a good chance to get back into his role as the team's starting center. In addition, rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant, who was knocked out of last week's win over the Buffalo Bills on the first possession of the game with a concussion, looks like he will play in the game as well after logging a full practice on Thursday.
That's a bit surprising, considering Bryant had a concussion in Week 16 as well.
Troy Franklin, who left the game with a hamstring issue, has been limited in practice this week and his status for the game seems a bit murkier. Getting Bryant back would be a boost for the Broncos, who are having to start Jarrett Stidham at quarterback and only have three other healthy wide receivers on the 53-man roster (Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. And Lil'Jordan Humphrey). The team will likely have to elevate at least one wide receiver from the practice squad for this game if Bryant or Franklin can't play, and that makes the odds of Stidham playing well go down a bit.
The return of Wattenberg could be huge, however, as the Broncos will be much stronger up front with him in the lineup. The Broncos need to establish the run in this game, regardless of who the running backs are, and being able to get a push up front will be key.
Alex Forsyth has filled in well for Wattenberg, but he is dealing with an ankle injury that forced him out of the win over Buffalo last weekend. Sam Mustipher had to finish the game.
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The Broncos will release a final injury report on Friday. Kickoff for Sunday's game is set for 1:00 PM Mountain time. The game will be televised on CBS and Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will have the call.
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