Broncos Avoid IR for Key Linebacker, Face Chiefs with Multiple Injuries
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Denver’s playoff hopes received a boost as linebacker Dre Greenlaw is unlikely to require injured reserve, despite a hamstring injury sustained Sunday.
- Dre Greenlaw avoided a season-ending injury and is expected to return during the Broncos’ playoff push.
- Denver is navigating a wave of injuries, including concerns at center and receiver.
- Justin Strnad is poised to start at linebacker against the Chiefs, with Karene Reid potentially returning from IR.
- The Broncos will continue a snap rotation between Ben Powers and Alex Palczewski at left guard.
Denver Broncos fans breathed a collective sigh of relief Tuesday as the team confirmed it does not plan to place linebacker Dre Greenlaw on injured reserve. The news comes after Greenlaw suffered a non-contact hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was listed as a Did Not Participate (DNP) on the Broncos’ injury reports Monday and Tuesday.
The injury occurred with 2:07 remaining in the game, as Greenlaw pursued Jaguars running back Travis Etienne on an 11-yard run. He immediately hopped off the field, unable to put weight on his left leg. While a somber development given Denver’s pursuit of an AFC West divisional title and a potential No. 1 seed, the Broncos evidently believe Greenlaw’s injury isn’t season-ending.
Placing Greenlaw on injured reserve would have sidelined him until a potential AFC Championship game, assuming Denver secures the top seed. His likely return at some point during the playoffs is a significant positive for the team.
Denver’s linebacker corps has faced constant challenges this season. Greenlaw and starting linebacker Alex Singleton were just beginning to find a rhythm before Greenlaw’s latest setback. Greenlaw himself was hampered by a lingering quad injury early in the 2025 season and served a one-game suspension in Week 8. Singleton missed a game three weeks later following surgery to remove a testicular tumor, and LB3 Justin Strnad was sidelined Sunday against the Jaguars with a foot injury. Rookie Karene Reid has been on injured reserve since November.
The Broncos are preparing for Greenlaw’s potential absence. Strnad participated fully in Tuesday’s walkthrough and is expected to start alongside Singleton against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. Denver could also elevate Reid from injured reserve this week after opening his 21-day return window last week.
Center Position in Flux
Denver’s offensive line also faces uncertainty. Starting center Luke Wattenberg was absent from Tuesday’s walkthrough due to a shoulder injury, making his participation against the Chiefs highly doubtful. This would be Wattenberg’s first missed game of the year after starting 15 consecutive games and recently earning a midseason contract extension.
Backup Alex Forsyth is expected to fill in for Wattenberg. Forsyth previously started four games in 2024 when Wattenberg was on injured reserve with an ankle injury and has a strong rapport with quarterback Bo Nix, dating back to their time together at Oregon in 2022.
Guard Rotation to Continue
Left guard Ben Powers is returning to action, but will continue to share snaps with Alex Palczewski. Powers played 23 snaps against Jacksonville in a two-possession rotation, and head coach Payton indicated Tuesday that this arrangement will continue Thursday night against Kansas City.
“Not bad,” Payton said of Powers’ return. “Good. It’s good to have him back out there. I thought we got him the right amount of playing time.”
Multiple Broncos Banged Up
The Broncos are dealing with a growing list of injuries as they prepare for their crucial Christmas Day matchup against the Chiefs.
In addition to Greenlaw and Wattenberg, receiver Pat Bryant is unlikely to play Thursday after suffering a concussion late in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars. Bryant was taken to the hospital after a late-game hit but avoided any “serious” injury, according to a source. He was not present at Tuesday’s walkthrough.
Tight end Nate Adkins also missed Tuesday’s practice with a knee injury. This presents a challenge for Payton, as practice-squad blocker Marcedes Lewis is ineligible for elevations, leaving only Evan Engram and Adam Trautman as active tight ends.
“We’ll see,” Payton said when asked about handling Adkins’ absence. “We’re not going through our lineups today. I appreciate the question.”
