Denver Broncos Injury Updates | Shark Bites

The Texans have claimed S Kareem Jackson off waivers from the Broncos. Denver dumped the twice-suspended veteran, opting to continue with P.J. Locke next to S Justin Simmons. Jackson could see immediate time for a Houston defense that lost Jimmie Ward to a quad injury against the Browns. It's not yet clear how long Ward will be out. We'll watch for specifics on Jackson's Week 17 role.

The league has suspended Broncos S Kareem Jackson four games after a spearing hit he made on Vikings QB Joshua Dobbs on Sunday night. That, of course, follows a suspension earlier this season for three illegal hits in separate games. Jackson got his previous suspension reduced to two games on appeal and has appealed this one as well. It would seem another punishment for the same crime should knock Jackson out for longer. We'll see what happens, though. Jackson didn't get flagged for the hit during the game, which may or may not affect this ruling. Any time Jackson misses should elevate P.J. Locke to the starting role. Locke missed Sunday night's game with an ankle injury that knocked him out of Week 10 early. Delarrin Turner-Yell would seem to be the next guy up if Locke remains out for Week 12.

Broncos LB Josey Jewell (hip) returned to full practice Thursday. That certainly points to him playing Sunday against the Jets, after missing Week 4. We should get confirmation Friday afternoon, but plan to have Jewell available for your IDP lineups. Jewell's return figures to knock down LB Drew Sanders' playing time. We'll see exactly what the rookie's role looks like, though. He was pegged for an increased role in the Week 3 loss to the Dolphins that Jewell left early with the injury.

The Broncos are releasing veteran Edge Randy Gregory. That's not an especially impactful IDP move itself. Gregory has just 9 tackles and 1 sack through four games. His playing time dipped the past two weeks, from 64%+ the first two games to 47% and 46% in the last two. The move does remove a hurdle from the outlooks of Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, who have each seen increases in playing time and good production through four games. Both sit top 15 among D-linemen (depending on your format). Denver does have Frank Clark and Baron Browing approaching injury returns, which will challenge the roles of Cooper and Bonitto. But we'll wait to see how that all shakes out before downgrading the guys currently succeeding. Cooper and Bonitto have climbed up our rest-of-season DL rankings and sit especially high in our Week 5 DL rankings, ahead of a meeting with the Jets.

Broncos LB Josey Jewell left Sunday's loss to the Dolphins with a groin injury. The team downgraded him to out before the end of the contest. That likely doesn't bode well for his chances of being ready for Week 4. We'll watch for more on Jewell's outlook and the potential fill-in plan.

The Broncos have agreed to a three-year deal with DL Zach Allen. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that it's for $45.75 million total, including $32.5 million guaranteed. That comes on the same day that Denver watched DL Dre'Mont Jones get a bit more from Seattle. Allen progressed across four seasons with the Cardinals. He was enjoying his best campaign yet before a hand injury knocked him out for the final four games. Allen's career-high 20 QB hits over just 13 games suggest upside beyond his career-high 5.5 sacks. Allen also tallied a career-high 10 tackles for loss. The move to Denver reunites him with former Cardinals DC Vance Joseph. Allen could emerge as a value pick in 2023 IDP drafts. We like him as a top-30 D-lineman in our dynasty rankings.

Broncos S Justin Simmons (knee) and EDGE Baron Browning (hip) missed Wednesday's practice, though each was reportedly working on a side field. HC Nathaniel Hackett deemed each player day-to-day afterward, though it's never a good sign to miss the 1st practice coming out of a bye week. EDGE Randy Gregory also worked on a side field but remains on IR. He has been out since Week 4 with a knee injury. "We're going to start working him in, and we're hoping he gets back sooner rather than later," Hackett said, according to the team website. "He's really doing well in the rehab room."

The Dolphins are sending RB Chase Edmonds and 2 draft picks to the Broncos for EDGE Bradley Chubb. The Broncos are getting a 2023 first-rounder that initially belonged to San Francisco, as well as a 4th-rounder in 2024. Miami will get a 5th-rounder in 2025. Chubb upgrades a Dolphins pass rush that ranks just 23rd in sacks and has dealt with some injuries. He's in the final year of his rookie deal, so we'd bet on an extension following. Edmonds played his way out of the starting backfield gig in Miami but lands in a Denver offense that presents opportunity. We'll see about the team's RB plans coming out of the Week 9 bye, though we wouldn't bet on any of the Denver backs truly taking over. Chubb's departure should mean more playing time for 2nd-round rookie EDGE Nik Bonitto, who has 1.5 sacks over his past 2 games. Myles Gaskin looks like the #2 RB in Miami now.

Broncos LB Josey Jewell is off the final injury report for Week 8. He missed the past 2 games after leaving Week 5 early with a knee injury. Jewell remained limited the 1st 2 practices this week but put in a full Friday and carries no game designation. He's fine as a low-LB2 or LB3 for fantasy football use this week and has moved up our Week 8 IDP rankings. LB Alex Singleton does not belong in IDP lineups with Jewell back. Denver also ruled EDGE Baron Browning (hip) out vs. the Jaguars.

Broncos LB Josey Jewell left in the 1st half of Thursday night's game against the Colts with a knee injury and was then ruled out. We'll see about the specific diagnosis and expected return timeline. Alex Singleton filled in and got full playing time when Jewell missed the 1st 2 games of the year. We'll see whether he's the guy again if Jewell misses further time, or if LB Jonas Griffith gets more snaps.

Broncos EDGE Randy Gregory is having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to trim the meniscus. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports he'll miss "anywhere from two to six weeks." That will be a significant loss for the Denver pass rush. Baron Browning figures to benefit the most. He played a season-high 43 snaps in Sunday's loss to the Raiders and also saw elevated snap share back in Week 1, when Gregory had his playing time limited coming off a different injury. Browning doesn't have a QB hit yet this year.

Broncos EDGE Randy Gregory left Sunday's game with a right knee injury. Mike Klis of 9News reported that he was carrying crutches as he left the locker room after the game but not using them. We'll see about the severity of this injury.

Broncos LB Josey Jewell (calf) was limited for Wednesday's practice. That matches his participation level from Friday's practice. Jewell entered Sunday's game against Houston questionable but missed his 2nd straight contest. Opening this week limited suggests he's likely nearing a return. We'll see if he's ready to face the 49ers on Sunday night. CB Patrick Surtain (shoulder) and EDGE Randy Gregory (knee) missed practice. Surtain left Week 2 with the injury. Gregory has played through the knee issue each of the 1st 2 games.

Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett told reporters Wednesday that S Justin Simmons will miss "some time" with a thigh injury he suffered in Monday night's opener. NFL Network's James Palmer reports that he's "hearing" Simmons will land on short-term IR. That would mean at least 4 missed games. Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke look like the fill-in candidates. Denver also added S Anthony Harris to the practice squad Wednesday.

Broncos LB Josey Jewell is doubtful for Monday night's game against the Seahawks with a calf injury that kept him out of practice both Friday and Saturday. That clears the way for Jonas Griffith to work as lead LB in the opener. Griffith missed most of the preseason with an elbow injury suffered early in the 1st exhibition, but he practiced in full all week and is off the injury report. Denver also lists EDGE Randy Gregory as questionable with shoulder and knee issues. We'd plan to not use Gregory in Week 1 IDP lineups, given the late kickoff.

Broncos LB Kenny Young left Sunday's win over the Lions with a concussion. He'll need to pass through the league protocol before returning to action. DE Shelby Harris left the game with a knee injury. He had been questionable to play with the same issue.

The Broncos have activated EDGE Bradley Chubb from IR. Chubb hasn't played since Week 2 because of an ankle injury that required surgery and reportedly even tweaked the ankle in practice this week. It appears Chubb will be ready for Sunday's game against the Chargers. We'd hold off on using him in IDP lineups, though.

The Broncos on Monday designated OLB Bradley Chubb (ankle) to return from IR. He had surgery back in September for a nagging injury. We'll see whether Chubb can make it back to the active roster for this week's game against the Chargers. We'll need to see at least a game's worth of playing time before considering Chubb for IDP lineups.

Broncos LB Baron Browning left Sunday's loss to the Eagles early with a back injury. Browning showed up on Thursday's injury report with a back issue that kept him out and then limited his Friday participation. HC Vic Fangio said after the game that he aggravated the existing back issue, according to the team website.