The Denver Broncos officially placed inside linebacker Josey Jewell on injured reserve Tuesday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.
Jewell (6-1, 236 pounds) tore a pectoral muscle during last week’s 23-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Players are allowed to return from IR after three weeks, but Jewell is expected to miss the rest of the 2021 season.
Jewell started all 16 games last year, totaling 113 tackles, four pass breakups and two sacks. Jewell is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022, so it’s possible that he has played his last down for Denver.
Justin Strnad is in line to replace Jewell in the starting lineup. The Broncos also have third-round rookie Baron Browning and Jonas Griffith at ILB and the team signed Micah Kiser off the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad on Tuesday.
Kiser has the most starting experience (nine games with the Rams last year), but Strnad has more familiarity with Denver’s defense. Browning has a bright long-term outlook, but he’s playing exclusively on special teams right now.
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