The Broncos received positive injury news for the first time this week when defensive end was deemed healthy enough to play Sunday night against the Chiefs. Wolfe missed practice all week with a neck injury and an illness. He was listed as questionable Friday.
Denver will need several young players to step up because of key injuries on both sides of the ball.
The biggest names in the Broncos inactives are linebacker (hamstring strain), safety (concussion) and tight ends and A.J. Derby, who were ruled all out Friday with their respective injuries. Linebackers Quentin Gause and Vontarrius Dora and guard Connor McGovern complete the Broncos inactives.
With their top two tight ends out, the Broncos will have rookie Henry Krieger-Coble making his NFL debut. He was promoted from the practice squad on Friday. , who has four catches for 88 yards in his career, is the Broncos only other tight end active.
Rookie safeties Justin Simmons and Will Parks are expected to split the load at safety with Ward out. Both have played a moderate amount of defensive snaps in subpackages this season.
Linebacker Corey Nelson will make his third consecutive start in place of Marshall. The Broncos have three inside linebackers active – Nelson, and Zaire Anderson.
Denver will suit all seven of its receivers, including both returners and Kalif Raymond. Norwood has lost three fumbles as a punt returner this season.
Broncos special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis said Raymond, Norwood and receiver were all the mix at punt returner doing practice this week. Ball security will be a key concern with rain and wind in the forecast.
The Chiefs will be without outside linebacker Justin Houston, who is inactive. It’s a break for the Broncos because Houston had three sacks and a forced fumble when these two teams played in Denver last month.
