Indianapolis – As his right ankle remained planted on the artificial surface while the force of a tackle was bending the rest of his leg in contorted directions, Travis Henry thought his season was a goner.
And if Henry was gone, where would that leave the Broncos?
“I was worried,” Henry said as he walked with a pronounced limp from the visitors locker room at the RCA Dome to the team bus. “I felt sharp pain in my knee, first. Then my knee and my ankle. But the X-ray came back negative, so that’s a blessing.”
Henry was gallant Sunday as the Broncos’ running back in a 38-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, rushing for 131 yards on 26 carries in only 2 1/2 quarters. It was the third time in four games Henry rushed for at least 128 yards.
But as he ran around right end midway through the third quarter, Henry’s right ankle was stationary while his leg was bending to gruesome proportions as he was tackled by Indianapolis linebacker Freddy Keiaho.
Henry had suffered a sprained knee ligament in a preseason game on artificial turf at Dallas, and sprained his right ankle last week against Jacksonville. While Henry’s injury isn’t serious, his hobble indicated he will likely miss the week of practice and may be questionable for the game Sunday against AFC West rival San Diego at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“I think I’ll play,” Henry said. “I know my body, and I think things will settle down in a couple days and I’ll be able to get back in there.”
If Henry can’t go, Selvin Young, who gained 81 yards on 10 carries, would start against the Chargers.
“Selvin has done a wonderful job,” Henry said. “He’s a good back. So if that’s the case I know he’ll take advantage of this opportunity.”
