ENGLEWOOD, CO — Help is on the way for the Denver Broncos defense this Sunday against the New York Jets. While the Broncos defense has certainly struggled this year, reinforcements could help them find a solution to turn things around.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons and several others set to return vs. New York Jets
For the last two weeks, the Denver Broncos have been without several of their key defensive players. Sunday’s showdown against the New York Jets will see the return of safety Justin Simmons, inside linebacker Josey Jewell, and outside linebacker Frank Clark.
Simmons has missed the last two games after suffering a groin/hip injury in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders. His return will help Denver shore up some of the communication issues they’ve had in the last couple of weeks.
Jewell returns after leaving the Broncos’ Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter with a groin/hip injury. He missed last Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, where rookie linebacker Drew Sanders stepped into his role.
Clark will make his return since Week 1’s loss against the Las Vegas Raiders after he suffered a groin/hip injury. He’ll jump in as one of the key players off the bench in a rotational role at outside linebacker.
Javonte Williams questionable for Sunday’s game vs. Jets
Heading into Sunday’s game against the Jets, the Broncos are hopeful that Javonte Williams (quad) will be able to play. He was listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report and will likely be a game-time decision.
Williams did not participate in Wednesday’s practice but returned on Thursday as a limited participant. He upgraded from a limited to full participant on Friday. If he’s unable to go, the Broncos will utilize a combination of Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Dwayne Washington, who was added to the active roster this week.
“We feel fortunate,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said. “Obviously, we like how the young players are playing. [RB] Samaje [Perine], when we signed him—[RB Dwayne] Washington’s played for me. All these guys will be ready.”
Defensive tackle Mike Purcell is questionable after missing last Sunday’s game against the Bears with a rib injury. Purcell was a limited participant all week at practice.
Center Lloyd Cushenberry popped up on the team’s injury report this week with a quad injury that limited him for three straight days. He’s questionable for Sunday’s game.
If Cushenberry is somehow unable to go, it will be interesting to see whether the Broncos start seventh-round rookie Alex Forsyth or last year’s fifth-round selection Luke Wattenberg at center.
Outside linebacker Baron Browning is out for Sunday’s game despite being a limited participant in practice all week long. Browning put on the pads for the first time this season after being activated off of the PUP list.
The Denver Broncos will kick things off against the Jets on Sunday at 2:25 p.m. MT at Empower Field at Mile High.
