Thankfully for the Denver Broncos, they have 11 full days between the conclusion of their loss to the Chargers in San Diego and their tilt with the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. The unusually long gap in games is giving them time to heal injuries, including two players in concussion protocol, right tackle Russell Okung and wide receiver/kick returner Cody Latimer.
On Friday head coach Gary Kubiak, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis met with reporters and offered, among other things, an update on both Okung’s and Latimer’s status for Monday’s game in Denver.
If Okung is unavailable, Dennison wouldn’t offer any specifics as to whom the Broncos plan to use in his place. Ty Sambrailo played left tackle last year in place of the injured Ryan Clady before he went down with an injury of his own. Michael Schofield played right tackle last year after Ryan Harris was moved to left tackle in place of Sambrailo. The newly signed Billy Turner has played both tackle and guard and could factor in at either position.
As for Latimer, the options are a little more transparent per Dennison. Will Parks and Kayvon Webster will be called upon to fill Latimer’s duties, should he be a scratch on Monday night.
The Broncos still have three days for Ukung and Latimer to get healthy.
Here’s exaclty what the three coaches had to say on the topic, courtesy of Broncos PR…
Gary Kubiak
On practice participation
“Did not practice: [OLB] DeMarcus [Ware], [WR] Cody [Latimer]. Limited was [T] Russell [Okung]. Everybody else was full, [S] T.J. [Ward], [WR] Emmanuel [Sanders], [DE] Billy [Winn], [CB] Kayvon [Webster], [QB] Trevor [Siemian], [S] Shiloh [Keo] and [S] Justin [Simmons].”
On whether Okung is on track to play
“He’ s on track. I’d say that he took the majority of the reps today, hopefully some more tomorrow. We have a lot of time on our hands until Monday night, but he’s on track, doing well.”
On Latimer’s status
“I’d say Cody is behind Russell. Russell is ahead of Cody.”
Rick Dennison
On the plan if Okung is unable to go on Monday night
“Russell Okung is our left tackle. We’ll have seven offensive linemen out and we’ll figure out who’s going to play.”
Joe DeCamillis
On how WR Cody Latimer’s injury affects the special teams units
“We’ll have to play with the actives a little bit and we’ll have to do some things differently as far as from the actives. [S] Will Parks has been a guy that had the fumble recovery last week and had a couple tackles on [special] teams. He’s done a good job. It’s the same thing. If he doesn’t go, then like a couple weeks ago with [CB] Kayvon [Webster], we have to make up for them. Our guys have done a good job of that all year. Hopefully he does go.”
