Sam Brandon’s season is over.
A Monday MRI confirmed the Broncos’ worst fears — that the fifth-year safety tore his anterior cruciate ligament on a collision with Demetrin Veal late in Sunday’s 31-20 win at Pittsburgh.
“You could see it happen right in front of you,” Head Coach Mike Shanahan said. “It was just a freak injury and it’s really a shame, because he’s really been playing well.”
Brandon knew immeditately that the injury was severe.
“I felt the play, so I know what happened,” Brandon said. “I could feel it. It was pretty painful.”
The fifth-year safety played extensively Sunday after Nick Ferguson incurred a second-quarter concussion on a collision with Pittsburgh’s Hines Ward, but most of Brandon’s action came in the team’s “Big Nickel” scheme, where they used Brandon as a fifth defensive back instead of inserting a third cornerback as is routine for a nickel package. The scheme was designed to help combat the threat posed by some of the productive tight ends the Broncos face — including Kansas City’s Tony Gonzalez and San Diego’s Antonio Gates — and, for the most part, it has worked since it was installed last year.
The scheme won’t be tossed out because of Brandon’s absence, but Shanahan declined to indicate who would replace him in the scheme.
“Someone will play that position,” Shanahan said. “Obviously we won’t talk about who will play it for obvious reasons, but we’ll still have a big nickel, a regular nickel, and we’ll still go with that type of mindset.”
Sunday night, Curome Cox replaced Brandon after the injury, and recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass as the Broncos salted away the win.
Other injuries of note:
- Ebenezer Ekuban: Strained thigh; undergoing MRI examination later Monday.
- Patrick Chukwurah: Strained hamstring; undergoing MRI examination later Monday.
- Ian Gold: Strained hamstring, undergoing MRI examination later Monday.
- Nick Ferguson: Concussion; CT scan came up negative.
- John Lynch: Concussion; CT scan came up negative.
- Darrent Wiliams: Separated shoulder; will know more Wednesday.
- Rod Smith: Separated shoulder; will know more Wednesday.
- Al Wilson: “Mild” concussion; no examination.
Counting Brandon’s season-ending tear, that’s nine injuries discussed by Shanahan at his press conference Monday — eight on defense.
“I don’t think I can ever remember losing as many guys on one side of the football,” Shanahan said.
Tags: Al Wilson, Darrent Williams, Defensive linemen, Ebenezer Ekuban, Ian Gold, Injury report, John Lynch, Linebackers, Mike Shanahan, Nick Ferguson, Patrick Chukwurah, Rod Smith, Safeties, Sam Brandon, Wide receivers
Wow…I can’t remember so many guys going to down so quickly in any one game. We are going to need these D guys back….
Just my opinion, maybe Andrew can elaborate, but it seemed the most serious are to Gold and Ekuban. D-Will seemed to play through it, though he was definitely hampered. If Champ proved anything, though, it can be played with depending of the severity….
Any update, Andrew??
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
So many great players, so many injuries. I believe PUSH therapy would help reduce chronic muscle fatigue and greatly reduce some of these injuries.
Awesome game on Sunday!
Diane
http://www.sacredjourneymassage.com
I wanted to apologize to everyone for mentioning PUSH therapy on this website. I just received an offensive e-mail from someone who apparently is not brave enough to post directly on this site, that he wanted me to stop mentioning PUSH, so I will do that.
I am excited about a new therapy that I know works far beyond what anyone can imagine. I’ve had many injuries, and I’ve gotten my life back, and I wanted to get the word out and share, but I understand that this is not the forum. This site is for Broncos fans and discussing games and injuries, but not state of the art therapies. I understand that.
I am swamped with clients and do not need new ones, I just wanted to get the word out in the process of discussing Broncos related things.
Please accept my apology for being overly excited, and remember me when PUSH is a household word. I know I will be smiling about getting kicked off this blog!
I have meant no harm. I’ve been a Broncos fan for over 30 years, and I mean no disrepect to this list in any way.
Thank you one and all, and GO BRONCOS!
Diane
http://www.sacredjourneymassage.com
Man, that was a nasty and great game to watch. I cant remember the last time I saw two teams bashing each other like that. Al Wilson had at least 3 big hits..god I love him. That sucks about Brandon too, he was playing well and seems to have found his niche. Cox looked good filling in though. Im not to worried about next week either, The Raiders looked horrid tonight and I was smiling just thinking about the beating we are going to place on them next week..although we have to be careful and not overlook them…they always seem to sneak up on us every year.
Last year the broncos had the bye about now….wouldn`t that be great!!!!!!
6-2……on the way to another good run!
I say we rest everybody and even rest champ bailey. MY POINT: Treat it as a bye week. Raiders suck and our reserves can do a good job. We need the guys back for the San diego game so we can win the division. What you guys think? PUSH TREATMENT FOR EVERYBODY THIS WEEK
No updates as of yet … I think we’ll know more tomorrow based upon who practices and who does not. Simple math says that at least some of the guys that were cited on the injury breakdown Monday will be in uniform Sunday, since Shanahan cited nine players — and you can only put eight on the game-day inactive list. For what it’s worth, Al Wilson seemed very lucid and as clear-spoken as ever when he spoke with the media barely 40 minutes after his collision. Ditto for Nick Ferguson in the locker room after the game, although I didn’t have a chance to catch up with John Lynch while chasing players down for quotes. With the locker room closed and the players off Monday, we couldn’t get caught up with any guys, so I’m looking forward to asking them just how they’re doing today and tomorrow.
I agree with your insights delux. You are very observant and wise. Sometimes rest is the best thing!
PUSH treatment? I think I’ve heard about that somewhere. LOL. You sound like great fun!
Diane
http://www.sacredjourneymassage.com
[...] “You could see it happen right in front of you,” Shanahan said the day after the injury. “It was just a freak injury and it’s really a shame, because he (had) really been playing well.” [...]