Okung’s return to lineup a relief
Broncos’ offensive line scrambling
As Russell Okung was wheeled away on a golf cart with his spikes still on and an IV in his arm, the Broncos’ offensive line looked — at least in the crowded bowels of the stadium in San Diego minutes after a second consecutive loss — like it hit a low point.
After finally putting together some semblance of a consistent front five, with Denver’s two most-important offseason offensive signings bookending their line — Okung at left tackle and Donald Stephenson at right tackle — the Broncos got pushed around. Again. The Chargers held the Broncos to five plays in the first quarter, after which the Broncos played catch-up the rest of the game.
And, as Okung headed to the hospital and was later diagnosed with a concussion, the worry really ramped up. The Broncos are left trying to stop a two-game losing skid while scrambling to piece together a cohesive offensive line.
Okung on Friday returned to practice at Dove Valley for the first time this week, finally out of the NFL’s mandated concussion protocol. He participated in a majority of plays, according to coach Gary Kubiak but was listed as limited on the official injury report. His return led to a sigh of relief from the Broncos.
“It definitely hasn’t been where we want it to be,” Denver running back C.J. Anderson said of his team’s running game. “But I’m just excited to have another opportunity with my guys out there. Definitely some continuity back on the line.”
Okung and Stephenson, who at a combined $11.2 million this season are Denver’s most-pricey new additions, had their work cut out at San Diego. They each played every offensive snap. So, too, did guards Max Garcia and Michael Schofield and center Matt Paradis.
After Schofield won the right guard job late in training camp, and after Stephenson returned to the lineup last week for the first time in three weeks because of an injured calf, the Broncos finally got their band back together. But they’re still looking for rhythm.
The Broncos are struggling on first down, which makes their play-action game difficult to fool anybody. They average 4.71
yards per play on first down, which ranks 29th in the NFL, well below the league average of 5.54 yards.
“I wish I could tell you the exact reason,” Kubiak said. “We were really good on first down for about three weeks into the season. I think we were top four or five. Now all of a sudden after two or three weeks, you go to the bottom.”
The Broncos are gaining more than 4 yards on rushing plays on just 38.7 percent of their attempts, which ranks 26th in the NFL. Their per-game average, 323.3 yards, ranks 28th. And they have allowed 14 sacks, fifth most in the NFL.
Denver offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, though, does not pin blame on his offensive line for those dismal numbers.
“I don’t think you can point at anyone,” he said. “We didn’t perform very well as a group (in San Diego), coaches included. We’re all trying to get on the same page. That’s what we’re counting on, everybody improving.”
Okung, who declined to talk to the media Friday upon his return, is crucial to the Broncos finding a groove up front. If he is unable to play Monday night, it would make for some tough decisions. Ty Sambrailo, who was scratched for the San Diego game, could possibly be used at left tackle. Schofield is another possibility, which would require more shuffling. The Broncos this week cut backup lineman Darrion Weems and claimed Billy Turner off waivers. Turner is now with his third team this month after stops in Baltimore and Miami, but he’s unlikely to be active this week.
“If you sit around and say, ‘Well, it was all one person’s fault,’ then nobody gets better,” Dennison said. “So if we all take those strides and get better, then we will get better as a group.”