Broncos DT Purcell out for season
Running back Lindsay in concussion protocol
ENGLEWOOD — Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell sustained a season-ending foot injury early in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, coach Vic Fangio announced Monday.
Purcell played five snaps before leaving with what Fangio believes is a Lisfranc injury, which involves the bone in the mid-foot area.
Purcell became a star ter in Week 5 a year ago and his play to begin this season was solid enough to prompt the Broncos to sign him to a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension (through 2023) on Oct. 6. The contract was signed at a good time because Purcell can now begin his rehabilitation without worrying about a first trip to unrestricted free agency.
In six games, Purcell had 15 tackles, one sack and three run “stuffs.”
Moving forward to Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos have options to replace Purcell in the base and sub-package defense.
In the base, the Broncos could slide defensive end Shelby Harris back to nose tackle (where he star ted the first four games of 2019) and have him flanked by Dre’mont Jones and Demarcus Walker at end. The Broncos could also promote Sylvester Williams from the practice squad.
On sub-package downs, the Broncos don’t usually employ a nose tackle, leaning on two ends to provide a pass r ush. Rookie Mctelvin Agim could be a possibility to take some of those snaps.
LINDSAY IN PROTOCOL
Fangio said running back Phillip Lindsay is in the NFL’S concussion protocol after he was injured in Sunday’s first half.
The return-to-play map for concussed players includes five steps: Rest/recovery, light exercise, supervised strength training, football activities and full football activity. Once Lindsay returns to practice, he must be examined by an independent neurologist.
Fangio said returner/receiver Diontae Spencer (shoulder), receiver Tim Patrick (hamstring) and outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka (hamstring) will be “day to day” this week. Spencer missed the Chiefs game.
NOTABLE
Fangio said he and Harris had a “great talk after the game,” following their sideline disagreement in the fourth quarter. “There’s no issue there,” Fangio added. … The Broncos’ 14 turnovers are tied with New England for second-most in the NFL (Dallas has 16). The Broncos had 16 all of last year. “You can overcome a minus-1 (dif ferential) many times, but when you star t getting to minus-2 and minus-3 and some of those are pick-six (interceptions), you have problems,” Fangio said. … The kickoff temperature of 14 degrees on Sunday was tied for the fifth-coldest home game in team histor y. The record remains zero degrees (Chiefs at Broncos in December 1983).