Corner Callahan could sit out another month
Broncos coach Vic Fangio announced before practice Wednesday that cornerback Bryce Callahan will be out at least three more weeks because of a foot injury that has prevented him from playing.
Callahan originally broke the foot last year while playing for the Chicago Bears and he underwent surgery. Those surgeons met with Callahan last week and Fangio said he had a “nonsurgical procedure … to promote the healing.”
Callahan signed a three-year, $21 million contract in March to leave the Bears and follow Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell to the Broncos. Callahan started training camp but did not play in a preseason game and was listed as limited in practice the last two weeks.
Fangio said placing Callahan on injured reserve “was (an option) and still is,” and that surgery will be considered, “if nothing gets better.”
Callahan’s absence has forced the Broncos to move safety Kareem Jackson to cover the slot receiver in sub-package situations.
“It’s definitely had an impact,” Fangio said. “Kareem, we had visions of (him) playing safety and that’s where he got most of his preparation in the offseason and training camp. Now he’s playing nickel. Chris (Harris), we had visions of playing nickel and now he’s playing corner. He’s still learning on the job. He knows what do — he’s experienced, but there’s been a play or two that he hasn’t played correctly and it’s no fault of his own. He just hasn’t been on the job enough for us.”
Jackson (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. He stretched with the team before doing a few minutes of side-field work.
Also not practicing were right guard Ron Leary (rest), right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive end Derek Wolfe (ankle) and inside linebacker Josey Jewell (hamstring).
Wolfe and Jewell were injured Sunday against Green Bay.
“(Their MRI results) came back better than we were initially worried about,” Fangio said. “Derek is doing much better. He has a chance (to play) this week. He’ll be questionable all week and the same with Josey.”
Fangio said James, out since Sept. 9, is “doing good. … I believe we said it was two to four (weeks to return). I think he’s on schedule to meet that timetable.”
The Broncos listed five players as limited practice participants: Receiver Emmanuel Sanders (quad), running back Royce Freeman (shoulder), fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral), outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) and inside linebacker Joe Jones (triceps).
Receiver DaeSean Hamilton played 42 snaps against Green Bay, but was not targeted in the passing game. In 143 snaps this year, he has four catches among his 10 targets (including a dropped touchdown at Oakland).
“There’s only one football and you have guys like Courtland (Sutton) and (Sanders) playing well,” Hamilton said. “Obviously being the type of person I am, I want more opportunities, but I can’t rush it. I can’t call my own number. It’s my job to get open and when I do, I’ll say something (on the sideline).”
Hamilton was used often last week in motion to deliver the “Wham” block on a Packers edge defender.
“I could probably count on two hands how many times (at Penn State) I had to be the lead blocker or the guy to move people out of the way for our running backs,” he said.