Denver Broncos are currently making a late (and surprising) push for the playoffs, having won their last three games and climbing to a 6-6 record. But, they might not go any further, since the team just lost their primary wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders for the season.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rappaport, Sanders tore his Achilles during the Wednesday practice and is looking for a lengthy downtime. The Broncos confirmed that the 31-year-old Pro Bowler is hurt but didn’t want to get into the details.
“It didn’t look good,” – said Broncos’ head coach Vance Joseph, adding that the player is scheduled for MRI after which they’ll have more information.
“There are a lot of teams that have injuries right now,” – Joseph continued. “Again, it’s late in the year, it’s the fourth quarter of the season, injuries happen. We simply have to move on and play a game on Sunday.”
Before going down with the injury, Emmanuel Sanders was having an excellent season, leading the team with 71 caught passes for 868 yards and four touchdowns. Now it will be up to veterans Tim Patrick and River Cracraft, as well as the rookies DaeSean Hamilton and Courtland Sutton to step up and carry Denver’s passing game.
This wasn’t the only significant injury that Denver Broncos are facing, since they will have to play out the season without another Pro Bowler, cornerback Chris Harris, who suffered a fractured fibula on Sunday. However, Harris is expected to return in time for playoffs if Broncos manage to get in.
