The Broncos will be without Derek Wolfe, their top defensive linemen, for at least the next two weeks and possibly longer as he recovers from a small hairline fracture in his right elbow that he suffered Sunday night at Oakland.
Wolfe, a defensive end, put the timetable of his return at a two-week minimum and four-week maximum, which he admitted was an aggressive target date. He said he and the training staff came to an agreement that it was reasonable, however.
“It doesn’t have to be healed it just has to not hurt,” said Wolfe, who is second on the team with 4.5 sacks this season and has been the Broncos’ best run stopper. “Itap nothing too serious. Itap nothing I can’t bounce back from. You gotta let it rest.”
The Broncos’ fifth-year defensive lineman said he’s likely to stay in Denver this weekend while the team travels to New Orleans so he can work on his rehabilitation and rest the elbow.
“If I’m not able to punch with my right hand, essentially I can’t play,” said Wolfe, who will have to wear a brace when he returns. “I only have one arm if I don’t have full strength in this arm.”
Wolfe said the injury happened on a play when his arm got stuck between offensive linemen.
Veteran Billy Winn and rookie second-round pick Adam Gotsis will shoulder the brunt of the load at the defensive end spot opposite Jared Crick with Wolfe out.
