Oakland +7
Broncos homer here, but take a look at their injury list below. My goodness, this looks like a MASH unit and Denver is in a look ahead spot with a trip to Pittsburgh next week and big game vs Cincy after that. Raiders with former Broncos coach Del Rio would love nothing more than to damage the Broncos' playoff chances.
In all, 22 players were listed on the injury report this week, and on Thursday 18 players were either held out or limited in the team’s practice. The three position most affected are running back, safety and linebacker.
It’s possible the Broncos may have just two backs fully ready for Sunday’s game, given C.J. Anderson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Ronnie Hillman, who has started the last six games, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a foot injury, but coach Gary Kubiak said after Friday’s practice Hillman was ready to go.
It could mean that Hillman and Juwan Thompson will be the team’s top two running backs against the Raiders, splitting the majority of the carries, and Anderson potentially could be in uniform as a limited option if his injury doesn't improve into the weekend.
At safety, the Broncos will have two players in uniform -- Josh Bush and Shiloh Keo -- who have been signed within the last two weeks with Keo arriving Wednesday. The Broncos had all four of their top safeties -- T.J. Ward (left ankle), Darian Stewart (hamstring), David Bruton Jr. (left knee) and Omar Bolden (hamstring) on the injury report this week.
Ward is out for Sunday’s game and at this point Bolden is not expected to play. Bruton practiced some Friday while Stewart is expected to start. In the end, the Broncos will likely use a three-cornerback look at least some in the base defense, with Bradley Roby in the lineup, or use Bush, who was with the Broncos earlier this season, and Stewart in the two safety spots.
Bruton, the team's special teams captain, could be in uniform as a just-in-case option.
And Todd Davis will start at linebacker with Danny Trevathan out with a concussion. Davis started as an extra linebacker in the formation against the Minnesota Vikings this season and started two games for the Broncos last season.
Broncos homer here, but take a look at their injury list below. My goodness, this looks like a MASH unit and Denver is in a look ahead spot with a trip to Pittsburgh next week and big game vs Cincy after that. Raiders with former Broncos coach Del Rio would love nothing more than to damage the Broncos' playoff chances.
In all, 22 players were listed on the injury report this week, and on Thursday 18 players were either held out or limited in the team’s practice. The three position most affected are running back, safety and linebacker.
It’s possible the Broncos may have just two backs fully ready for Sunday’s game, given C.J. Anderson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Ronnie Hillman, who has started the last six games, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a foot injury, but coach Gary Kubiak said after Friday’s practice Hillman was ready to go.
It could mean that Hillman and Juwan Thompson will be the team’s top two running backs against the Raiders, splitting the majority of the carries, and Anderson potentially could be in uniform as a limited option if his injury doesn't improve into the weekend.
At safety, the Broncos will have two players in uniform -- Josh Bush and Shiloh Keo -- who have been signed within the last two weeks with Keo arriving Wednesday. The Broncos had all four of their top safeties -- T.J. Ward (left ankle), Darian Stewart (hamstring), David Bruton Jr. (left knee) and Omar Bolden (hamstring) on the injury report this week.
Ward is out for Sunday’s game and at this point Bolden is not expected to play. Bruton practiced some Friday while Stewart is expected to start. In the end, the Broncos will likely use a three-cornerback look at least some in the base defense, with Bradley Roby in the lineup, or use Bush, who was with the Broncos earlier this season, and Stewart in the two safety spots.
Bruton, the team's special teams captain, could be in uniform as a just-in-case option.
And Todd Davis will start at linebacker with Danny Trevathan out with a concussion. Davis started as an extra linebacker in the formation against the Minnesota Vikings this season and started two games for the Broncos last season.
