WR SANDERS “PROGRESSING FAST” AFTER INJURY
Broncos coach Vance Joseph said wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is “progressing fast” from a sprained ankle and “chances are good” he will play Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia. Sanders missed Denver’s last two games because of the injury and, though therewas some hope he’d be able to play in the Kansas City game, Sanders admitted hewasn’t close to suiting upMonday.
Sanders has been limited in practice this week but said he’s “optimistic” of returning Sunday and possibly injecting some life into Denver’s passing game.
“Just hoping it continuously gets better,” he said. “I can make all the cuts I want. I don’t feel like I’m all the way myself, and that’s going to happen— nobody is 100 percent in this league— and we still got, what, three or four days before the game? So I’m optimistic and just got to continuously work and run on it and, hopefully, it gets more and more comfortable.”
Inside linebacker Todd Davis, who sat outWeek 8 as well because of an ankle injury, also has practiced on a limited basis this week.
“He’s getting better day to day,” Joseph said. “He had a high ankle sprain, so Todd should have been out probably a couple weeks to three weeks, but Todd’s a tough guy. He wants to go. He almost went last week, so we’ll see. We’ll see where he’s at.”
Quarterback update.
The Broncos’ quarterback switch has led to continued speculation about Paxton Lynch’s availability for Sunday and beyond. But Joseph said, likeMonday, the team will have only two active quarterbacks against the Eagles: newly appointed starter Brock Osweiler and backup Trevor Siemian. Lynch no longer is on the injury list because of a sprained shoulder, but he will be among the Broncos’ inactives for the second consecutive game Sunday.
Marquee matchup.
Among the matchups to watch Sunday will be linebacker VonMiller against Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson. Miller has 24 sacks in 23 games against NFC opponents ( Super Bowl 50 included) and will be looking to rack up more sacks in Philadelphia. But he knows they won’t come easily.
“They’re solid all theway across the board,” Miller said of the Eagles’ offensive line. “Lane Johnson probably is the best right tackle in the league. If not the best, he’s tied for the best. He’s definitely up there. I’m sure you can make arguments for this guy and that guy, but Lane Johnson is the premier right tackle in the National Football League. Jason Peters is out right now. If they would have had him, itwould have been double trouble.”
Footnotes.
Tight end Zach Ertz was a new addition to the Eagles’ injury list. He practiced on a limited basis Thursday because of a hamstring injury. … Miller dressed as Colonel Sanders for Halloween. Why? “I don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “I was thinking about chicken.”