Injured again: OT James plays, then leaves game in second quarter.»
I N DIANAPOLI S » Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James made it back to play here Sunday but lasted just over a quarter before leaving the game with another injury to his left knee. That’s the same knee that kept the highly paid veteran out of action since Week 1.
James originally hurt his knee on the 10th snap against Oakland in his Denver debut after signing a four year, $51 million deal in the offseason. In the second quarter on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium — on James’ 20th snap — the 27-year-old went down to the turf again, clutching his left knee. He did not return.
“It is (tough),” coach Vic Fangio said. “Maybe we should’ve given him another week, I don’t know. He had been cleared, he felt good about playing and he went out and got injured again. I don’t know the severity of it yet.”
After laying on the turf for a few minutes, James gingerly limped off the field with trainers and was ruled out a short time later in the Broncos’ 15-13 loss. He was inactive for Weeks 2 through 7, although he had been medically cleared to play since before Denver’s last game against the Chiefs.
Broncos end Jeff Heuerman also went down on the same drive after getting his knee rolled up on by an Indianapolis defender. He was helped off the field and did not return to the game, finishing with one catch for 11 yards. Andrew Beck filled in for him. Heuerman left the stadium on crutches and will have an MRI on Monday.
Meanwhile, Elijah Wilkinson stepped in at right tackle after James exited, as he did after James went down in Week 1.
“It took me a second to get warmed up off the bench, but after that, I thought it was pretty smooth sailing for me from there,” Wilkinson said. “I wasn’t expecting this to turn into a full deal for me this season, but if he’s not ready to go (for next week), I’m ready to step in again. I’m feeling more and more comfortable at the right tackle position.”
James’ injury underscored another tough day for the Denver offensive line. The Broncos allowed three sacks and the Colts recorded six tackles for loss as Denver was limited to 113 yards rushing. Wilkinson said there’s nothing the unit can do but hope for the best for James.
“It was tough to see, just knowing how much rehab (James) did and seeing him in the training room day in and day out,” Wilkinson said. “Seeing him go down, that hurts, but this is a business, and it’s the next man up. I’m here to do what I need to do to help the team start winning again.”
In other injury news, left guard Dalton Risner suffered an ankle injury but continued to play. The rookie left Lucas Oil Stadium in a walking boot.