Broncos' Jonah Elliss: Exits game due to shoulder injury
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Elliss (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the Bills, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
Elliss injured his right shoulder in the first half of Sunday's game, and he was seen headed to the locker room holding his arm, per Mike Klis of 9news.com. Dondrea Tillman will serve as the Broncos' primary edge rushing backup behind Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto for as long as Elliss is out of the game.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Tallies nine tackles vs. Cincy
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Locke registered nine tackles (six solo) during Denver's 30-24 overtime loss to Cincinnati on Saturday.
Locke played a season-high 79 defensive snaps Saturday, and he finished as the Broncos' third-leading tackler behind Riley Moss (14) and Brandon Jones (13). Locke is up to a career-high 74 tackles (50 solo) through 14 games, and he'll look to add to his total in Denver's regular-season finale against Kansas City on Sunday.
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Broncos' Jonathon Cooper: Gets to Burrow twice Saturday
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Cooper finished Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to Cincinnati with four tackles (three solo), including 1.5 sacks.
Cooper's most impactful sack came midway through the second quarter, when he sacked Joe Burrow for a three-yard loss to force a turnover on downs. Cooper is now up to a career-best 9.5 sacks through 16 regular-season games, and he'll have an opportunity to reach 10 sacks in the Broncos' regular-season finale against the Chiefs on Sunday.
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Broncos' Zach Allen: Career-best 3.5 sacks vs. Bengals
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Allen logged seven tackles (two solo), including 3.5 sacks, during the Broncos' 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday.
Allen had a hand in five of the Broncos' seven sacks on quarterback Joe Burrow on Saturday, including back-to-back sacks during the Bengals' opening drive of overtime. Allen is now up to a career-best 8.5 sacks through 15 regular-season games, and he has a chance at reaching double digits for the first time in his NFL career against the Chiefs in Week 18.
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Broncos' Brandon Jones: Career-high 13 tackles vs. Bengals
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Jones tallied 13 tackles (nine solo) during the Broncos' 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday.
Jones played a season-high 78 snaps on defense Saturday, and he finished as the Broncos' second-leading tackler behind cornerback Riley Moss (14). Jones signed a three-year, $20 million contract with the Broncos in March to serve as the starting strong safety due to the departure of All-Pro veteran Justin Simmons. Through 16 regular-season games, Jones has tallied career highs across most defensive statistical categories and is up to 114 tackles (79 solo), 10 pass defenses (including three interceptions), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
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Broncos' Riley Moss: Struggles to contain Higgins
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Moss finished Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals with 14 tackles (11 solo).
Moss returned Saturday from a three-game absence due to a knee injury. He finished as the Broncos' leading tackler, but with Patrick Surtain matched up against Ja'Marr Chase for most of the night, Moss struggled in his coverage assignment against Tee Higgins. Two of Higgins' three touchdown catches came when Moss was covering him, including the game-winning three-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow late in overtime. Moss and the Broncos will head back home to host the Chiefs in Week 18 in a win-and-get-in game, and the Denver defense will likely be facing backup quarterback Carson Wentz rather than Patrick Mahomes as Kansas City is locked in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into the postseason.
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Broncos' Riley Moss: Full participant in practice
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Moss (knee) was a full participant in Denver's practice Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
Moss managed to return to practice after missing the team's past three games with a knee injury. The 24-year-old is trending toward playing in Saturday's matchup versus the Bengals, where he will look to help slow down Cincinnati's high powered offense.
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Levi Wallace: Let go by Denver
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The Broncos waived Wallace on Tuesday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Wallace has been a healthy scratch for the Broncos' last two games. In the 13 games prior to Denver's Week 14 bye, Wallace logged 28 tackles (20 solo) and two pass defenses. Assuming he clears waivers, Wallace could opt to stick around with the Broncos on the practice squad or explore his options elsewhere.
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Broncos' Kris Abrams-Draine: Nabs first interception of career
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Abrams-Draine tallied four tackles (three solo) and an interception during the Broncos' 34-27 loss to the Chargers this past Thursday.
The rookie fifth-round pick out of Missouri has seen his snap count at outside corner increase in the Broncos' last two games due to Riley Moss's knee injury. Abrams-Draine took advantage of his increased playing time in Week 16, when he picked off a pass from Justin Herbert intended for Joshua Palmer late in the second quarter. It was the first interception of Abrams-Draine's young NFL career, but he could revert to a backup role for Week 17 against the Bengals if Moss is able to progress in his recovery enough to play.
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Broncos' Cody Barton: Seven tackles against Chargers
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Barton finished this past Thursday's 34-27 loss to the Chargers with seven tackles (five solo).
Barton was the Broncos' second-leading tackler for Week 16 behind Brandon Jones (10). Barton didn't see much playing time in the first three games of the regular season, but he has played at least 60 defensive snaps in nine of 12 games since, which coincides with Alex Singleton's season-ending ACL tear. Barton is up to 97 combined tackles through 15 regular-season games, and he is on the brink of cracking the century mark for the third straight year. He'll look to do just that in the Broncos' Week 17 clash against the Bengals on Saturday.
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Broncos' Brandon Jones: Team-high 10 tackles vs. Bolts
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Jones registered 10 tackles (seven solo) and one pass defense during the Broncos' 34-27 loss to the Chargers this past Thursday.
Jones has registered 19 combined tackles in the two games since the Broncos' Week 14 bye. He's now up to 101 tackles through 14 regular-season games, and it's the first time he has eclipsed the century mark in his five-year NFL career. Jones leads the Broncos in combined tackles and will look to add to his total in a pivotal Week 17 bout against the Bengals on Saturday, Dec. 28.
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Broncos' Riley Moss: Won't play in Week 16
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Moss (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Chargers, Susanna Weir of the Broncos' official site reports.
Moss appeared to be trending in the right direction ahead of Thursday night's divisional matchup, upgrading to limited practice sessions Tuesday and Wednesday after opening the week as an estimated non-participant. However, it now seems his knee injury was too significant to overcome, preventing him from suiting up in Week 16. Expect Levi Wallace and Damarri Mathis to see increased work with Denver's first-team secondary in Moss' stead.
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Broncos' D.J. Jones: Past finger injury
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Jones (finger) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Chargers, Susanna Weir of the Broncos' official site reports.
Jones upgraded from a limited practice session Tuesday to a full workload Wednesday, suggesting that he's moved past his finger injury in time to play Thursday night. The 29-year-old has recorded 36 total tackles, including 0.5 sacks, and two passes defended over 14 appearances this season. He's expected to serve as the Broncos' top nose tackle in the Week 16 divisional matchup.
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Broncos' John Franklin-Myers: Ready for Thursday night
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Franklin-Myers (foot) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Chargers, Susanna Weir of the Broncos' official site reports.
Franklin-Myers appeared to be on track to miss the Broncos' Week 16 divisional matchup after opening the week of practice with consecutive DNPs. However, he upgraded to full participation Wednesday, suggesting he's moved past his foot injury in time to suit up Thursday night. Now that the 28-year-old has returned to full health, he's expected to serve as one of Denver's starting defensive ends.
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Broncos' Cody Barton: Tallies eight tackles in win
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Barton recorded eight tackles (four solo) in the Broncos' win over the Colts on Sunday.
Barton has played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in 10 of the last 11 games and is now up to 90 tackles (44 solo), including 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups, including two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown back in Week 7 versus New Orleans.
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Broncos' Justin Strnad: Records nine tackles in win
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Strnad recorded nine tackles (two solo) in Denver's win over the Colts on Sunday.
Strnad played a season-high 93 percent of the defensive snaps against Indianapolis and matched his season best with the nine tackles, which he's done three times. On the year, Strnad has 63 tackles (40 solo), including 3.0 sacks, four QB hits and three pass breakups.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Records another defensive TD in win
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Bonitto recorded five tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks, in Denver's win over the Colts on Sunday.
Bonitto also scored a defensive touchdown for the second straight game after he picked off a lateral on a trick play from the Colts and took it 50 yards to the house in the fourth quarter. On the season, Bonitto has 41 tackles (28 solo), including 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery in what has been a breakout year for the third-year edge rusher.
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Broncos' Brandon Jones: Piles up nine tackles in win
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Jones recorded nine tackles (eight solo) and three pass breakups, including one interception, in the Broncos' win over the Colts on Sunday.
Jones played 93 percent of the defensive snaps against Indianapolis, and his three pass breakups marked a new season best. His second-quarter interception on an Anthony Richardson deep shot to Alec Pierce was Jones' third pick of the year. On the season, Jones has a career high 91 tackles (63 solo) and nine pass breakups, including the three interceptions.
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Broncos' Riley Moss: Estimated as DNP on Monday
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Moss (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Moss has missed the Broncos' last two games, and now Denver has a short week ahead of Thursday night's game versus the Chargers. Kris Abrams-Draine got the start opposite Patrick Surtain against Indianapolis with Moss sidelined and would likely be in line for another start should Moss need to miss a third straight contest.
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Broncos' D.J. Jones: Listed as DNP on Monday
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Jones (finger) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Jones injured his finger in Sunday's win over the Colts and was unable to return to the game. Malcolm Roach filled in with extra snaps in the middle of Denver's defensive line with Jones out. The Broncos have a short week ahead of Thursday night's date with the Chargers.
