Gerard Warren’s vivid, echoing pain instantly sobered the most attended training camp practice in Dove Valley history as the Broncos suffered their first significant injury of preseason.
A spirited Saturday morning practice was suddenly clouded as coaches and teammates rushed to Warren’s aid. In a matter of minutes, what appeared to be a potential season-ending injury may have been a bullet dodged. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan announced after Saturday’s practice that Warren – who re-signed with Denver in March for six years worth $36 million – dislocated his left big toe and said the player will miss two to four weeks. Warren is wearing a protective walking boot and is not expected to play in the preseason, which begins Friday night at Detroit. He is expected to be ready to play the regular-season opener at St. Louis on Sept. 10, five weeks from today.
“I want Gerard for the regular season,” said Shanahan, who added that Warren, as a starter, would have taken part in just 10 plays against the Lions.
It appeared for a few moments that his season could be in jeopardy.
Warren was injured in a pile after a running play by undrafted rookie tailback Mike Bell. The injured defensive tackle was assisted by two members of the training staff who helped him out of the way and immediately starting working on him. His screams were audible even though he had a towel clenched in his mouth. It was clear after his toe was adjusted that Warren was feeling physical relief.
His teammates were, too. Al Wilson, Domonique Foxworth, John Lynch and Darrent Williams, as well as Shanahan, were among those to surround and support Warren. Worried facial expressions turned to laughter as Warren joked with them before he was carted off to the locker room. After practice, teammates said he was in good spirits, relieved his season wasn’t lost.
“At first I thought it was an ankle,” Wilson said. “When I found out it was a big toe, that was encouraging.”
Shanahan said Warren would have been lost for the season if the toe had been fractured, and added the player will not need surgery.
Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban had a similar injury while with Dallas and missed two weeks.
Denver will use backups Demetrin Veal and Amon Gordon in Warren’s absence. With Gordon practicing once a day with a knee injury and rookie Antwon Burton nursing an ankle injury, Denver could bring in a defensive tackle for help as Warren begins his rehab.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. “I was worried there for a minute but we got lucky. We need Gerard.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
