Keenum sits as injuries mount

The quarterback was one of four players hurt in Sunday’s win over the Raiders

The Broncos’ good injury fortune lasted two weeks.

Reality checked in Wednesday when quarterback Case Keenum (knee), right offensive tackle Jared Veldheer (concussion protocol), inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) and nickel cornerback Adam Jones (thigh) sat out the nonpadded practice.

All four players were injured in the 2019 win over Oakland, and coach Vance Joseph is “very hopeful” they will be available for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.

Spanning six practices in Weeks 12, the Broncos had no player miss an entire workout because of injury. At the top of the new list is Keenum, who missed his first practice of training camp and the regular season. Joseph said Keenum, who woke up Monday feeling “a little sore,” will practice Thursday.

“I could have practiced (Wednesday),” said Keenum, who is expected to start at Baltimore on Sunday. “I wanted to practice, but they wouldn’t let me. It was a good mental day and (then) come back and be ready to go (Thursday).”

Chad Kelly took the firstteam practice snaps in Keenum’s place.

“He looked fine,” Joseph said of Kelly’s practice. “He should be. He’s our ‘2,’ and if he had to play, I have no worries.”

Keenum carried three times in the second half against the Raiders and appeared to twist his knee

during a 7yard scramble on the gamewinning drive. He was also sacked once and knocked down on three other dropbacks.

“I guess I need to slide a few more times than running around and bouncing around defenders,” Keenum said. “But I want the first down. I want to score. I’m competitive that way.”

He didn’t say if a single play caused the injury.

“I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “I ran it a few times and (took) a few hits in the pocket. They came after us. A lot of guys were sore but it was a good sore after that game.”

Asked if he had experience dealing with knee soreness, Keenum said: “Similar as far as dealing with being sore after games. I want to make sure I play 16, 20 weeks, not just a few weeks.”

While in college at Houston in September 2010, Keenum tore his ACL.

Though there’s good news for Keenum, the injury statuses of his teammates are more uncertain, including Veldheer’s. Players must pass several steps in their recovery before they are cleared from the concussion protocol and even allowed to practice with a helmet.

“He’s progressing,” Joseph said of Veldheer. “It’s only Wednesday. We’ll see on Friday.”

Billy Turner would start if Veldheer can’t play. Turner was booked for one “bad” run play in two quarters of work.

“You look up and see Billy Turner is in the game and I don’t think anybody even noticed; that’s a good thing,” Keenum said.

Jones’ injury is most problematic. He listed now as having a thigh injury and was limited against Oakland with a hamstring issue. If Jones is inactive, rookie Isaac Yiadom would make his NFL debut as the fourth cornerback.

“I think he’ll be ready,” cornerback Chris Harris said of Yiadom. “He might have a chance to get out there and play with (Jones) being hurt so he has to be ready to go.”

If Marshall can’t play, rookie Josey Jewell would pick up his snaps.