The Broncos’ game plan after the demolition derby at Pittsburgh that saw eight players on defense go down with injuries? Hope for the best.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen just on one side where players miss playing time, especially as early in the game as it happened,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Monday.
Shanahan said he will get a better feel for the impact Wednesday morning. Standout outside linebacker Ian Gold (hamstring) and starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban (thigh) are two injured players whose prognoses for Sunday’s game at Oakland are in question. Both players had MRI exams Monday to better determine the extent of their injuries. The playing status for their immediate future is uncertain and will be monitored throughout the week.
Louis Green replaced Gold at Pittsburgh. If Gold were to miss any time, another viable option is Nate Webster, who has been inactive all season because he doesn’t play on special teams, but the team has long maintained he could step in as an injury replacement. The Broncos often play in a nickel, two-linebacker set, with starters Al Wilson and D.J. Williams getting the call at the linebacker spots.
Ekuban has a thigh strain and also had an MRI exam and could miss extended time. He missed most of the victory over the Steelers, being replaced by John Engelberger. Rookie Elvis Dumervil and Patrick Chukwurah, who suffered a minor hamstring injury against the Steelers, could play more in Ekuban’s absence.
As expected after the game Sunday, key backup safety Sam Brandon’s season is over. He tore his right anterior cruciate ligament on a fluke play in the fourth quarter Sunday when he was accidentally leg-whipped by teammate Demetrin Veal.
Shanahan said he expects Brandon to make a full recovery. Brandon played the Broncos’ “big nickel” role and will be missed. However, the team is enthused about backups Curome Cox and Hamza Abdullah. Cox intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter at Pittsburgh.
With Brandon out, the Broncos could promote a player from the practice squad or sign a free agent.
“Depending on what the extent of the injuries (to Gold and Ekuban) are – right now we don’t really know,” Shanahan said. “I am not just saying that to say that, I am not really sure. So once we analyze that and come back, we will get a feel on Wednesday exactly where everybody is at and make a decision from there.”
At 6-2 and tied for first place in the AFC West with San Diego, Denver is entering the second half of the season considerably banged up. The team already was playing without starting left tackle Matt Lepsis and defensive end Courtney Brown, both done for the season with knee injuries.
Sunday’s injuries only compound the issue. Eight defensive players were hurt during the game. In addition, receiver Rod Smith suffered a separated shoulder.
Safeties Nick Ferguson and John Lynch and Wilson suffered mild concussions. Each was evaluated Monday and is expected to be fine, Shanahan said. Like Smith, cornerback Darrent Williams suffered a mild shoulder separation, and both will be evaluated throughout the week. Neither player is expected to miss an extended period.
“This is a time for the backups to step up,” said cornerback Domonique Foxworth, who would replace Williams if needed. Foxworth finished Sunday’s game at safety because of the depletion there.
“Guys work for this opportunity,” Foxworth said. “You never want to see a teammate go down, but the team depends on the backups in these situations.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
