The news that Javon Walker would undergo surgery on Friday only exacerbated the Broncos’ injury concerns. While their daily practice report only bore four names on Thursday, it was accentuated by a growing injured-reserve list that expanded to included tight end Stephen Alexander.
Among first-teamers on the depth chart, the Broncos have seen their players collectively miss 19 man-games already this season because of various injuries. (Wide receiver Rod Smith is included here because at the time of his hip-debridement procedure in February, he was the most recent starter at his position, having started all 16 games in 2006.) Smith, Ben Hamilton and Ebenezer Ekuban have each missed all five games to date, meaning they collectively have 15 man-games missed among them.
But with Ekuban, Tom Nalen and Hamilton lost for the season and on injured reserve, you can add a total of 33 games — 11 apiece — to create their tally of missed games at the end of the year. That means the Broncos will absorb a minimum of 52 man-games missed among first-teamers this season.
How does that compare with recent years? It’s well above average — and that’s precisely the kind of “above-average” every team endeavors to avoid. Let’s peel back and look at the years of numbers I have on my bookshelf here at the home office …
2001: Broncos starters missed a total of 29 man-games to injury. Most of these belonged to wide receiver Ed McCaffrey (15 games), whose season ended on Monday Night Football in Week 1, and running back Terrell Davis, who missed games 2-7 and then sat out a pair of November games before returning for the final five games (in spite of the problematic pain in his knees, Davis nevertheless averaged 87.6 rushing yards per game and never gained fewer than 70 yards in any contest in which he played that year. Also among the starters sidelined at various points were guards Lennie Friedman and Dan Neil (one game apiece), wide receiver Rod Smith (one game), quarterback Brian Griese (one game) and defensive end Kavika Pittman (two games).
2002: Denver’s starters combined for 16 man-games missed, most belonging to Nalen (nine games). Shannon Sharpe missed three games after suffering a dislocated elbow that took place when Bill Romanowski slammed him into the INVESCO Field at Mile High grass on MNF. Brian Griese sat out two games with injuries (he also did not play in Week 17 after being supplanted by Steve Beuerlein), while Mike Anderson and safety Izell Reese each missed a game apiece. Kenoy Kennedy also sat out one game owing to a league suspension.
2003: The confluence of injuries at key areas hit the Broncos hard as they absorbed 45 man-games missed during the regular season because of injuries. Eighteen of those belonged to outside linebackers Ian Gold and John Mobley, whose seasons ended in a 14-day span of October. (Mobley would never play again.) Quarterbacks Jake Plummer and his fill-in starter, Steve Beuerlein, missed four and two games, respectively, with Beuerlein going on injured reserve after fracturing a pinky finger. (For purposes of this exercise, the only man-games that count as missed starts for Beuerlein are the ones that came before Plummer returned to the lineup.) Finally, both Kelly Herndon and Nick Ferguson missed the regular-season finale with injuries suffered in the Week 16 playoff-clinching win at Indianapolis; Herndon played in the wild-card redux with the Colts two weeks later, while Ferguson was on injured reserve. (NOTE: The figures do not take into account players who were healthy scratches for the regular-season finale at Green Bay.)
2004: Broncos starters missed 21 man-games, with two-thirds of them belonging to defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, who played in the regular-season opener and finale, but never at any other time. Running back Quentin Griffin missed one game as a starter because of an ankle injury; by the time he healed, the job belonged to Reuben Droughns. Kyle Johnson, who was promoted to first-team fullback after Droughns switched to tailback, missed a pair of games, while John Lynch (one game) and Dan Neil (three games) also missed time.
2005: Remarkably, the starting XI for the offense remained healthy throughout the 13-3 season as Denver starters combined for just eight man-games missed because of injuries, all on defense. Half of the man-games missed belonged to Darrent Williams, but he still played in 12 regular-season games and in the postseason. Courtney Brown, Al Wilson and Champ Bailey also had brief injury-caused absences.
2006: Incorporating a few players who’d either worked their way to the top of the official depth chart (Adam Meadows) or just to a starter’s assignment (Chad Mustard), the Broncos saw their starters combine for 43 man-games missed. Most belonged to defensive end Courtney Brown (all 16 games) and offensive tackle Matt Lepsis (10 games), while Darrent Williams, Gerard Warren, Tatum Bell, Kyle Johnson and Nick Ferguson also missed some on-field time.
So even if the Broncos remain completely healthy the rest of the season, they will see their starters miss more man-games this year than any other in the last five. This doesn’t even factor in the coming loss of Walker, nor does it account for the loss of potentially valuable reserve contributors such as Hamza Abdullah (who had limited participation in practice Thursday), Stephen Alexander (now on injured reserve) and Nate Jackson (who started against San Diego).
Tags: Injury report
Who’d a thunk it? The number of games your starters miss has a direct correlation to winning and losing! 2005 – The Broncos miss only 8 games, and finish 13-3. In 2007 we are already over 50 and we are struggling. When a team isn’t extremely deep in any particular area it had better stay healthy. The Broncos haven’t and thus are struggling.
It could be a long, long season…..
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
Not to mention these numbers probably don’t take Warrick Holdman into account, and he had the inside track on being the starting strong-side linebacker. Ugh…..
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
Not to mention the fact that there is a big possibility the JW will miss at least have of the remaining games if not the entire season. And does this inclued the fact that T Henry might be done with football after his hopefully not to happen suspencion. Long season indead. Specialy for the young gun who is looking to go under center this sunday with a new madeshift O line.
Time to find out if Marshall is a true #1 or a nice #2 player. Can he catch the deep ball? Does he have the speed to get behind the safety? Can this Martinez kid hold onto the ball? Lots of questions this weekend with very few answers. At one time we had amazing depth at wide out and tight end, suddenly the team is dirt poor. Cutler it’s time to step up and lead this team. I’m not sure if anyone read Rice’s comments about regretting coming to this organization but what is his problem? He hasn’t exactly been stout against the run when he’s been in the game and I’ve YET to see him get great pressure. Nothing against the guy, but the Bucs released him for a reason and I think Shanny is finding out the hard way.
So Mas, what is the deal with Rod Smith? I read on NFL.com that he would probably need the whole 3 weeks before he could even consider practicing and he might not play at all this season. Can you find out the facts?
HRDNOKD where did you see Rice’s comments about regretting coming to Denver? I have seen them but would like to read for myself.
That is pretty much the deal with Smith….Let’s face facts –
Smith is 37 years old and damn-near had a hip replacement. What do you think his prospects are for returning??
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
Is “greek” losing it?
Javon had knee problems in week# 3, why didn’t they do something about it then? Javon would be coming back probably next week, but instead, he will miss more games.
Good job medical staff, good freakin’ job
this season is a complete joke on every level of this entire organization.
TSG, go to the Rocky Mountain News online, his comments are there.
let’s quit complaining and getting down on our teeam and let’s play some freakin ball, i know we got a lot of issues this year….but i am still wit cha broncos lets whip the steelers!!!!!!
Go broncos
Come on guys…have some faith!!…..The broncos will beat the steelers and packers back to back….they will then get some respect from teh national/local media….Then you people who are jumping off the badwagon so quickly, will jump right back on……
I love how some of you make up your own rumors that Walker could miss the season…if Shannahan said he will be out a few weeks what are you basing your guess that he will be out for the season…are u a doctor and have u examined his knee…quit making your own assumptions based on nothing!!! I still believe…go Broncos!!!!
EXCELLENT info Mase. See if you can dig up stats on the 96-98 team. I would be extremely interested to see the correlation. It seems as if this year is cursed. Lets get some voodoo priest to come in and remove the bad mojo from the team. I am sure Travis Henry knows a few Jamaicans…..lol
As Clutch says “lets have faith”. Besides, remember, we have a whole new batch of babies! Shanahan needs to nurture them and get on track! I for one, will be patient and wait! The injuries to me were done purposely by the Chargers! They are “vindictive” and mean with no respect for others! 3/4 of those hits done on the Bronco’s were uncalled for! They are turning into “the dreaded raiders”! We may not get there this year, but mark my words, before Mike retires, he will have another “championship” And he has the players to prove him right! If not, he will get them!
There’s a difference in being a fan and being a “blind” fan. I’m going to cheer like hell Sunday from my home in Richmond, always have and always will. However, the roster moves have been questionable to say the least as of late and it’s time to let the kid throw down field. He doesn’t have to bootleg to throw deep, if it’s open let him chuck it out there. We need the young guys to grow up in a hurry in order to win this game. Everyone knows the Steelers get points off of gimmick plays and smash mouth football. I don’t look for too many deep shots which means we MUST GET CONSISTANT PRESSURE! And I have one request from all of you at the game. MAKE SOME F’N NOISE OUT THERE!!!!
Lest we forget, we are also missing Darrent and Damian.
The one roster move that I didn’t get at all was bringing Travis Henry in here… He had off field issues on all teams that he’s been on; but he’s here in Denver and all we can do is cheer for him. The point is Mike Bell is not fast at all by any means but he is a guy with character and judging by his Rookie year, he looked promising. He even out performed Joseph Addai! Instead, we bring in Travis Henry and then moved Bell to FB and released our starting FB in Kyle Johnson.
Shanny, you’ve done some crazy stuff old gray one, but I still believe in you and the team. I don’t believe we’re going to win the game this Sunday (there was a time when I thought we could beat anyone but these two loses have been demoralizing), but I do believe that we are going to make the Steelers earn it.
I know there is very little correlation between HS football, and the NFL. But just to make a point. . . my Junior year we had what was considered to be a better than average team with playoff hopes. After the 3rd game of the season a few of our starting players were caught with Marijuana and summarily dismissed because of the Zero tolerance policy. That week my coach went on a rampage, questioned everyone, and by the end of the week we had lost 11 starters, and 7 2nd string players. That weekend we started our homecoming game with 40% sophmores, and only 3 seniors remaining on the starting team.
Everyone ruled us out of it at that point because it was the first start for over 50% of the team, and we were too “young” to be any good. The 18 players that got kicked off made a point of expressing that we couldn’t win without them. With all these things stacked against us, our team came together like never before. We won that game in overtime, went the rest of the season without a loss, and took the state championship.
I don’t care how inexperienced the Broncos are, they have the talent, and all they need to do is mesh. They need some team chemistry and a reason to fight. This season is not over by a long shot! Broncos 27, steelers 20.
Next week against the packers, remember they don’t have a running game. Broncos 31 packers 17. A few more losses by division teams, and we’re in the playoffs.
Well, when you a good franchise and have/draft for depth, you can win without injuries and making excuses. Like the Steelers over those seahawks missing both starting WRs and 2 defensive pro-bowlers along with the starting nickel cornerback. It also happend in the superbowl XL run. Injuries are apart of the game and if you cant manage the game, you lose. Sorry broncos…
I have a idea ya just my thought but it is a good one. In golf if you worry about beating your buddy, you can do that but if he is playing bad you will play bad. If you worry about making birdies you will make birdies, and it turns out birdies usually will beat your buddies. Can we get our offence to focuse on getting points, don’t worry about winning just score points. I know I know I don’t have any ideas for the defense yet just give me a minute.
BRONCO HYDE I LIKE IT ON HOW YOU PUT THAT OUT..THEY REALLY DO NEED TO MESH TOGETHER TO GET THERE MOTORS RUNNING…WE WILL SEE IF THE TEAM IS PLAYING WITH HEART THIS COMING SUNDAY I HOPE THEY REALLY DO COME TOGETHER BECAUSE I REALLY DONT WANNA SEEANOTHER LOSS…AND WHATS UP WITH SIMEON REGRETTING TO BE WITH THE BRONCOS…IF HE WNATS TO SAY @#^# LIKE THAT..BOOT THE @$^& SUCKER..WE DONT NEED HIM..I DONT LIKE IT WHEN PLAYERS JUST COME TO ANOTHER TEAM AND THEY ARE NOT PLAYING WELL THEY WANT TO LEAVE..ANY WAY I HOPE FOR THE BEST AND SHANAHAN I HOPE YOU GET THESE GUYS TOGETHER AND TELL THEM TEAMWORK ISALL YOU NEED..
GOOO BRONCOS!! DBJL
Where did Rice say those words, links please.
There is no lack of talent in th e NFL anymore, includung the Broncos. We have talent at every position (with depth)…So what gives? Personaaly I think if you have talent and your not winning, then it must be coaching. Where are we lacking? -Run defense, Special teams, Red zone offense, so pretty much every facet of our team that wins games. I’m not trying to be negative here because I’ve been bleeding blue & orange like the wrong charachter in SAW movie. I agree with Hyde. This team needs to rally around each other. Walkers confidence was great for a min. before he was gone. Brandon & Jay were refreshing in thier WED. press conference. Let them have fun coaches. Open up that playbook @ least more than the 10 predictable plays we run on offense (miss Kubiak-least he believed tha his players were capable-shoud have fired Heimendinger & kept Coyer). ST’s. -Looking forward 2 Selvin back there. Would like to see his speed more in our 10 plays on offense too. Stopping the run is the bread & butter of PRO football. Denver doesn’t do it…I’ll be able to fill my pool w/ blue & orange this year. I’ll cheer or I’ll bleed. I’d rather cheer, so come on Broncos…RALLY -from Shannahan to Elam….RALLY!
Crush the Steelers for the whole country to see! Go BRONCOS!
First I do believe Denver wins this game!
Fresh/Soph squad owns this team right now. (shout out to my man Bronco Hyde) It’s going to get interesting! I love being the underdog! Let em’ suit up. Let em’ play for a position not a salary. It’ll take these boys as close to the college days as it gets. It’s not about money right now, it’s about a spot on this roster now and in the future. That motivation in the hands of the right people can be deadly.
Cutler, I know you have heard a ton already but just remember this. God wears a Bronco jersey every Sunday. And when he watched the game from above he does so that his back is to the West Coast. Did you know that when he gave Noah the insturctions to build the Arc, he made certain that the Bronco was the first on board? Yep, and does it strike you as ironic that the animal that was holding up the progress of the world was a snake? Mmhmm, and I don’t know if you’re mom told you yet, but when you were little, she massaged evaporated milk on your throwing arm to build it’s strenght and durability. So you don’t worry about anything but playing this Sunday. You command your troops on that field. This is your team now. You already have been blessed by God himself, Noah and your mother. It’s now time for you to take what is rightfully yours and that’s the end zone!
…”He who believeth in me shall throw time consuming touchdowns. Let there be not hate for angry ponies running down thee field cometh Sunday. For I shall bless thee with 6….”
-Genesis 1998:31-24
For those of you interested in the comments Mr. Rice made.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5726376,00.html
[...] This team is devastated by injuries, more than most years. Andrew Mason breaks down the man-games we’ve missed, and with Tom Nalen, Nate Jackson and Stephen Alexander being placed on IR since the bye, it’s not pretty. – Mason’s Morsels [...]
Like everyone is saying this Sunday is going to be tough. Most likely the rest of this season is going to be tough. I say now is the time to give this team a new identity. The team needs to mix it up. Start spreading the ball around. Lets test these young players and develop a game plan around their strengths and weaknesses. Besides all that religious mumbo jumbo, Broncfalls has the right idea. Who will be the guy that just has not had the chance to show what he can do? When will they blossom and start making plays?
Eugh, I dont like hearing Rice make those comments. Can anyone tell me why we seem to let our good DL go (Hayward, Berry, Pryce) and just keep on bringing in people who seem to be “past their prime”? Sam Adams? Seriously? As much as I laugh to see him flop around on the field and not have a neck. He’s winded after 2 plays, how can he hold up like that?
DL has been an issue for so long, Im hoping these new kids can put it to rest as they progress.
I am a HUGE fan from Cincinnati, but I find myself questioning what the hell Shanahan is doing? Releasing Warren and then signinf Rice? What gives?
I’D BE MAD TOO IF I WERE SIGNED TO A TEAM TO HELP OUT, ONLY TO BE KEPT ON THE INACTIVE LIST. I WAS NEVER A SIMEON RICE FAN ANYWAY BUT AT LEAST LET THE GUY PLAY..IF HE SAYS HES SO GOOD THEN LET HIM PROVE IT. THATS ALL I GOTTA SAY.
If we are going to go with a rebuilding year, then let the rookies and 2nd year players play. Last years draft is one you build on, although this year only yielded 4 players, they seem to have great quality.
Why not bring Kircus back? He was a gutsy returner? What about Jeremy Bloom?
Ya Jeremy Bloom. He would love to be playing back in Colorado. He can be dangerous.
People who don’t follow the game close don’t realize this is quite possibly THEE most important stat correlating with a teams record and subsequent success or lack thereof in any given season. Still it doesn’t make a loss for us Broncomaniacs any easier to take, but it does give good reason to get off the spinal area of Cutler, Shanahan, et al!
So from a loyal fan, and a realist…OUCH! But still, Go BRONCs!
Tabbber55