New CB Sensabaugh ready for bring relief
With a track record as an experienced and effective NFL cornerback, Coty Sensabaugh is hungry to prove what he can do with the Broncos after going unsigned since the end of last season.
The Broncos signed the 30year-old Tuesday to replace De’Vante Bausby, who suffered a season-ending neck injury against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Sensabaugh, an eight-year NFL veteran, played his first seven seasons bouncing from Tennessee to the Los Angeles Rams, the New York Giants and, most recently, Pittsburgh.
The Broncos host the Titans on Sunday.
“I’ve been unemployed for a long while this season, so it’s revenge for everybody,” Sensabaugh said Wednesday before practice. “(Not being signed) fuels me a lot. I felt like I should’ve been signed a long time ago, and I felt like I was one of the best corners in free agency this offseason.
“Here’s my chance to go prove it.”
Sensabaugh fills an immediate need because the Broncos are without Bryce Callahan (foot), Bausby is out for the season and second-year player Isaac Yiadom has struggled.
Sensabaugh has appeared in 101 career regular-season games (43 starts), with 240 tackles, three interceptions, 31 passes defensed and a touchdown. He’s acclimating to coach Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme with the help of his secondary teammates. “This is a different defense, because it’s my first time in it, so there’s a lot of terminology and (other things) to learn,” Sensabaugh said. “(Safety) Kareem Jackson is helping me out a lot and making the adjustment as smooth as it could be.” Injury Only Callahan did not practice Wednesday. Right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), out since Week 1, was limited.
“It’s still early (to determine James’ status for Sunday),” Fangio said before practice. “He didn’t do enough last week, not anywhere close, to be ready to play.”
Inside linebacker Josey Jewell returned to practice via limited work. Jewell was injured against Green Bay in Week 3 (missed 15 snaps) and was shut down after only 21 snaps of work against Jacksonville. He did not practice last week and missed the Chargers game.
Jewell said before practice he’s nearing 100 percent, which would make him available against Tennessee.
“I felt a little bit of a pull (against the Jaguars) and I didn’t want to risk pulling it fully again and I knew if I went out there (against the Chargers), I probably would have re-injured it again and missed a week,” he said.
Also limited was linebacker Justin Hollins (knee), who was injured in last week’s first half and said it was “a non-contact thing. It’s not that bad.” Tight end Troy Fumagalli played 32 offensive snaps in the first three games, but was a healthy scratch against Jacksonville and the Chargers because the Broncos chose to keep fullback/tight end Andrew Beck active upon fullback Andy Janovich’s return.
“Just show up every day, work like I’m getting ready to play in the game and go from there,” Fumagalli said of his mind-set. “That’s all you can do and (also) do what’s asked of me.”
Fumagalli, who missed last year because of abdominal surgery, has one catch for seven yards.
“I thought I did some good things and there were some things to improve,” he said. “It was good to get out there and get a feel for the game speed in the NFL.”
Fumagalli said he has leaned on veteran tight end Jeff Heuerman for guidance on how to approach the situation.
“He’s been through something similar his first year so he’s always good to talk to and he’s a great leader for us in the (tight ends) room,” Fumagalli said. Improved tackling. The Broncos’ improved tackling against the Chargers became crystal clear while reviewing the video. The game-by-game missed tackle totals for the Broncos: Oakland 11, Chicago seven, Green Bay two, Jacksonville 15 and the Chargers 1.
Jackson had the only missed tackle and that came on the game’s final drive.