While the Broncos hold their collective breaths over a Jay Cutler ankle injury, the team also is dealing with a potential problem with defensive leader John Lynch.
Lynch suffered a groin injury in the second quarter and did not return. He watched the rest of the game from the sideline in his uniform. Lynch was not available to speak with the media after the game because he was receiving treatment.
Lynch and Cutler will be examined further today, likely offering a better sense of their rehabilitation timetable as a game at Indianapolis looms on Sunday. Like Lynch, Cutler was unavailable after the game as he was treated for what the team called a minor ankle injury.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan said the typical toughness of Lynch, a 15-year veteran, made it worrisome he wasn’t able to return to the game.
“I can’t tell you exactly how he is, but he has to be pretty sore for him not to go back in,” Shanahan said.
Curome Cox took over for Lynch because a hip injury will keep safety Hamza Abdullah out for the next 3-4 weeks. If Lynch misses time with the injury, the team could promote practice-squad player Steve Cargile.
The team also played without nickel cornerback Domonique Foxworth, who missed his second consecutive game with an ankle injury. Special-teams player Paul Smith also left the game with a pinched nerve in his neck and did not return.
