Amid the bevy of injuries to the Broncos’ cornerback corps — and a six-game suspension for A.J. Bouye — the consistency and reliability of the Denver safeties has been keeping the secondary afloat.
Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson have both played all 13 games this season. Simmons leads the Broncos with four interceptions and seven passes broken up and also has 83 tackles. Jackson has 76 tackles and three passes defensed while consistently laying the “boom” on behalf of the secondary.
“We’ve lost five corners in the last two weeks, and those two guys have been the steady influence factor,” coach Vic Fangio said. “They have not only played their position well, but they’ve had great leadership for the rest of the guys back there in talking to them during the game, during the week, in-between series. They’ve both done a great job in helping out those young guys and new guys that are playing because of those injuries.”
Rookie Michael Ojemudia and fourth-year pro De’Vante Bausby (reclaimed off waivers from the Cardinals Nov. 10 after being cut earlier in the year by Denver) will be the Broncos’ starting cornerbacks Saturday against Buffalo’s third-ranked passing attack. Will Parks, waived by Philadelphia on Dec. 1, will be the nickel back in sub-packages after re-signing with the Broncos on Dec. 2.
Ojemudia, Bausby and Parks have all been pressed into service due to the sidelining of cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (a foot injury landed him on injured reserve and he’s missed the past two games) and reserve Kevin Toliver, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. Undrafted rookie nickel back Essang Bassey also suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 13, and Bouye began serving his suspension for using performance enhancing drugs last Sunday.
— , The Denver Post
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