Fangio hopeful several injured players will return against K.C.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio provided optimistic updates Monday that several injured starters who missed Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers will be available to play against Kansas City.
The rundown of all the injury updates from Fangio:
• Fangio said left tackle Calvin Anderson, who sustained a knee injury in the first quarter against Los Angeles “is going to miss some time. I don’t know if it will require a visit to (injured reserve) or not. We’ll know the next day or two.”
Anderson had started the past three games in place of Garett Bolles (ankle/covid-19 reserve list). Anderson was replaced by Quinn Bailey against L.A.
• Fangio said Bolles and right tackle Bobby Massie (ankle) “have a chance to play this week. Garett hasn’t cleared all of the protocols yet. Bobby made some improvement last week, not enough to play, but we have some hope for him (vs. Kansas City).” The issue with Bolles is the status of his ankle rehabilitation since he hasn’t been allowed in the facility. Cam Fleming has played in Massie’s place since he was injured in Week 9 at Dallas.
• Left guard Dalton Risner’s back injury limited him to 18 snaps in the Chargers game, but Fangio said: “I think he’ll be OK moving forward. … We think it will get better and I’m optimistic he’ll be able to play (Sunday night).” Netane Muti took over for Risner against the Chargers.
• Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater injured his right shin when he was hit by Chargers safety Derwin James and his leg crashed into Fleming’s heel. Bridgewater missed the second quarter, but returned to play the second half.
“He came out (of the game) fine,” Fangio said. “I saw Teddy (earlier Monday) and he was doing better.”
• Cornerback Bryce Callahan (knee) is eligible to be activated from injured reserve, but Fangio didn’t know if he will practice Wednesday. Callahan was injured in the Week 8 win over Washington. Kyle Fuller has played the nickel spot in Callahan’s place. Fuller allowed eight completions in man coverage against the Chargers.
• Fangio said safety Kareem Jackson (neck/shoulder) has a “good chance” to play at Kansas City after missing the Chargers game. Rookie safety Caden Sterns, normally the Broncos’ “dime” player, made his first NFL start.
Lock remains No. 2. Despite another sub-par relief effort (one interception, one nearly lost fumble), Drew Lock will remain the Broncos’ backup quarterback this week.
In appearances against Baltimore and the Chargers, Lock is a combined 16-of-28 passing for 139 yards, two interceptions and a 40.5 rating.
“It’s different for a guy who’s never come off the bench,” Fangio said. “In Drew’s case, we’re probably not giving him enough reps during the week, not to make an excuse for him. He has to learn how to do better at (playing in relief) and maybe some of that, we need to have a better list of what he feels comfortable operating in and running and calling. Hopefully he’s learned from these two times. Hopefully, there won’t be another time due to injury and he’ll do better the next time.”
Surtain’s candidacy. Should Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II be a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year? “No doubt about that,” Fangio said.
Surtain became the first rookie with two interceptions (and one being a touchdown) in the same game since Kansas City’s Marcus Peters in 2015. Surtain has all three interceptions this year by Broncos cornerbacks.