Here comes the MRI exam on Travis Henry.
Inside the offices at Dove Valley, muscles tense and hearts race.
The MRI was negative, confirming the initial diagnosis of a first-degree sprain in Henry’s left knee.
The Broncos collectively exhaled. Their star running back will be fine.
“Man, I can’t tell you how relieved I was,” Henry said. “I woke up with some discomfort this morning, so when that MRI came back, it was a blessing. Because the way they got me, I could have easily had something seriously wrong.”
On first-and-goal Saturday night from the Dallas 3, Henry barreled into a scrum and had his left knee twisted one way while Cowboys were twisting from the top. He was stopped at the 2, then tried to limp off the field before team personnel went out to help carry him to the bench.
Just before halftime, though, Henry was able to walk without help to the locker room, and the MRI on Sunday revealed he should return before backup running back Mike Bell, who suffered a hip injury against the Cowboys.
Tests on Bell’s hip Sunday delivered news he will be out two weeks, the rest of the preseason. He will get a second medical opinion today.
Henry hopes to return this week, though given the Broncos’ growing number of injuries, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is held out of the preseason game Saturday against the Cleveland Browns at Invesco Field at Mile High.
The Broncos’ starters usually don’t play in the fourth preseason game, so Henry may have taken his last exhibition carry this year. But he should be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 9 at Buffalo.
