Tag: bryce callahan

Can the Broncos count on Ja’Wuan James or Bryce Callahan in 2020?

Ja’Wuan James and Bryce Callahan each signed big contracts with the Denver Broncos this past offseason, but they hardly played at all.

Denver Broncos president of football operations/general manager John Elway has always tried to be as aggressive as possible in obtaining free agents to keep up with a “win now” mindset for his team.

Many of those signings have worked out, including Peyton Manning, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward. But just like any great hitter in baseball, there will be some swings and misses.

Two of the biggest misses, at least to this point, in the team’s history in terms of free-agent signings occurred this past offseason when Elway signed offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James and defensive back Bryce Callahan.

Between those two players, Elway dished out $72 million in contracts, hoping each player would come in and make a significant contribution right away. Each signing came with risk, though.

James, a former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, had a history of knee problems, which is why the Dolphins gave up on him relatively easily. Still, Elway felt making him one of the league’s highest-paid right tackles was worth it.

James ended up playing on just 63 offensive snaps this season, or just over six percent of the team’s offensive plays. That forced Elijah Wilkinson into an extended role, and that just didn’t work out.

James’ knees gave him trouble again and now one must wonder if he can ever play in a full 16-game season again.

The signing of Callahan seemed like a great one, despite offseason surgery to repair a broken foot. His familiarity with Vic Fangio’s defense due to their time with the Chicago Bears made him a sensible signing with a high ceiling.

There was even talk of a “No Fly Zone” rebirth. That didn’t happen.

The 63 snaps that James played this season were 63 more than Callahan played. Callahan’s foot problems only became worse because of complications with a screw in his foot and he missed the entire season.

It’s going to be hard for the Broncos to trust either of these players going forward, but at least according to Elway, both players are in the team’s plans next season.

“Unfortunately, there were guys that we counted on that couldn’t go. That was unfortunate. That happens,” Elway said on Dec. 30. “That happens in this game and you’re going to have tough years and you’re going to have good years when it comes down to injury.
“That’s a big part of this game. When you have a lot of injuries, it’s tough to get through that. We look forward for them coming back and helping us next year. I think Ja’Wuan was frustrated with his knee and Bryce with the foot. We have them coming back next year.”
And they kind of have to be unless the team wants to incur some pretty heavy hits in dead money, particularly in the case of James.
James has a cap number of $13 million next season but would cost the team $19 million in dead money if he were to be cut. Callahan’s cap number is set at $7.8 million next season with $6.1 million being dead money if the team were to cut him, allowing the Broncos to save just over $1 million in cap space if he were to be cut.
Hopefully, Callahan’s foot will return to 100 percent. If that happens, the Broncos could have one of the league’s premier slot corners.
Things are much more tricky with James, who in many ways was an even worse signing than Callahan, who didn’t play one game.
James may as well have not played this season, as he was injured whenever he got on the field and didn’t recover well at all. Chronic knee issues are a real concern and if he misses time next season due to knee problems, it would be hard to blame anyone for writing him off.
Unfortunately, the team gave him a hefty deal and for that, they need to see it through. But is anyone optimistic about that at all? Is anyone happy that he is the Broncos’ right tackle?
At the very least, the Broncos should look at a better swing tackle than Elijah Wilkinson (who scored a 59.6 grade for the season from Pro Football Focus) or Jake Rodgers, as there is a good chance that backup player will be called upon in 2020, just as Wilkinson and Rodgers were this season.
So to answer the question, can the Broncos count on these two players in 2020? I think you would be being highly optimistic if you said yes, as this season suggested anything but.
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Bears CB Buster Skrine is becoming one of Ryan Pace’s better pickups

While GM Ryan Pace has come under scrutiny for some of his acquisitions, CB Buster Skrine is looking to be one of Pace’s better pickups.

One of the biggest questions for Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace entering the 2019 offseason was what he would do at the slot cornerback position. Would he elect to re-sign Bryce Callahan, a former undrafted free agent who rose through the ranks to become an unsung hero for the 2018 Bears defense? Or would he let him walk and find his replacement via free agency or the NFL draft?

Pace chose the latter, signing former New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine to a 3-year, $16.6 million deal, allowing Callahan to follow former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to Denver, signing for three years and $21 million. A move that was initially questioned and panned by fans and experts alike may now be seen as one of Pace’s best pickups during his tenure with the Bears.

Skrine, a nine-year veteran, has been a dependable pickup for the 2019 Bears defense. He’s made an impact in the running game, wrapping up ball carriers with solid tackling and has been fairly effective as a blitzer when called upon. When it comes to his pass defense, however, he’s improved drastically from his last season with the Jets in nearly every statistical category, including penalties. In 2018, Skrine tied for the team-lead in penalties with seven. So far this season, he’s only been flagged once, an offsides call back in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos.

What’s more, Skrine is on pace to exceed Callahan’s production from last season in most statistical categories. Below is a comparison of Skrine’s 2019 season with Callahan’s 2018 campaign using data courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Player/Year Buster Skrine/2019 Bryce Callahan/2018
Games played 11 13
Total Tackles 33 45
Tackles for loss 1 6
Sacks 0 2
Completion % 57.1% 71.7%
Yards per completion 8.5 9.2
QB Rating 76.9 79.9
Touchdowns 1 1
Interceptions 0 2
Forced Fumbles 2 0

The comparison shows that while Skrine isn’t as great of a blitzing cornerback as Callahan was, his pass defense has exceeded what his predecessor accomplished in his best season as a pro thus far. Most notably, Skrine’s completion percentage is nearly 14 points lower than Callahan’s was in 2018. This all coming from a healthy player as well.

One of the main concerns when considering re-signing Callahan was his injury history. He missed the final four games of the season, including the team’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wildcard round due to a broken foot. Now nearly one year later, he’s yet to play a down for the Broncos and will miss the season due to a setback to the injury suffered in training camp. Meanwhile, Skrine hasn’t missed a game yet and has been on the field 67% of the time, per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain.

There are still two years left on both Skrine and Callahan’s contracts, respectively. The Bears nickel corner could crash down to earth next season and Callahan may pick up where left off in 2018 once he’s healthy. But through nearly three quarters of the 2019 season, Pace’s decision to sign Skrine is arguably his best move of the offseason and one of his better signings during his tenure.

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This is why Broncos CB Bryce Callahan didn’t play this season

“They put a screw in there to promote healing and the screw got bent,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said of Bryce Callahan’s surgery.

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway signed cornerback Bryce Callahan to a three-year, $21 million contract in March knowing that the defensive back was coming off a foot injury with the Chicago Bears.

Denver believed Callahan would be healed in time for the regular season and he had success in coach Vic Fangio‘s defensive scheme while in Chicago. Unfortunately, Callahan never fully recovered from his procedures and the cornerback was placed on injured reserve last week.

“Part of his operation — which is routine — they put a screw in there to promote healing and the screw got bent,” Fangio said on Nov. 15. “It caused him a lot of discomfort and pain. Some guys have been able play through with that based upon the level of discomfort and pain.

“His level was too high for him to play through that. Basically, the screw got bent. I don’t know what having a screw bent in your foot feels like it.”

Callahan will have to undergo yet another surgery but as long as there aren’t any more complications, the 28-year-old cornerback should be ready in time for the 2020 season. Callahan will have the bent screw in his foot replaced.

“He should be,” Fangio said when asked if Callahan will be fully healthy for next season. “Like I said it’s — according to the medical people, it’s a routine— it’s hard to say routine when you’re talking about somebody else’s operation, but it happens a lot. That’s what they do when somebody gets that injury. He should recover from it.”

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Broncos make 2 roster moves

The Broncos activated wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) to the 53-man roster and placed cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos will activate wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster, coach Vic Fangio announced Friday. Patrick is now eligible to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

To make room for Patrick on the active roster, Denver will place cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve, ending his season. It’s been a dissapointing year for Callahan, who hasn’t been able to fully recover from a foot injury that he suffered while playing for the Chicago Bears in 2018.

Callahan (5-9, 188 pounds) signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Broncos in March but didn’t play in any games season. If he is able to get healthy this offseason, the 28-year-old cornerback could still emerge as one of the team’s top cornerbacks in 2020. Callahan has totaled 123 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions since 2015.

Patrick (6-5, 212 pounds) broke his hand in Week 1 and missed the last eight games while on IR. It’s safe to say quarterback Brandon Allen is excited about the wide receiver’s return to the 53-man roster.

“He’s great,” Allen said Wednesday. “In the short time I’ve been with him he’s been great, obviously knows the offense. He’s been here and he’s a big, physical target. Any time you have two of those guys like Courtland [Sutton] and him it’s going to be a mismatch for a lot of defenses, and I think he’ll bring another element to our offense.”

Sutton (6-3, 218 pounds) is also excited about Patrick’s return.

“It’s exciting to have him back because he does so much,” Sutton said Wednesday. “He can run plays from the slot because he’s shifty. He can go make the big play on the sideline because he’s a big guy. He’s fast and he’s smart.

“Everything that you want out of receiver — [including] his size — he does it and he does it really, really well. It’s exciting to have him come back and I know everyone on our team is excited to have him back if he comes back this week.”

Denver’s 53-man roster and 10-man practice squad are now both full.

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Broncos injuries: Bryce Callahan likely headed for injured reserve

The Broncos are expected to place cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) on injured reserve, ending his season.

After cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) missed practice again Thursday, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said “it’s looking more and more” likely that the defensive back will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Callahan, 28, signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Denver in March. He has been sidelined with a foot injury all season.

Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand) is expected to be activated from injured reserve to the 53-man roster this week and Denver will have to make a corresponding move to make room for him on the roster. The team might place Callahan on IR to create Patrick’s roster spot.

The Broncos’ complete Thursday injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate. N/L = not listed.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Bryce Callahan Foot DNP DNP
TE Jeff Heuerman Knee Limited Limited
OT Ja’Wuan James Knee Limited Limited
CB Duke Dawson Foot Full Full
RB Phillip Lindsay Wrist Full Full
DB Will Parks Hand Full Full
DE DeMarcus Walker Shoulder Full Full
WR DaeSean Hamilton Knee N/L Limited

The Minnesota Vikings’ complete injury report can be seen below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Status
DT Linval Joseph Knee DNP DNP
OG Josh Kline Concussion DNP DNP
DT Shamar Stephen Knee DNP Full
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring DNP DNP
CB Mackensie Alexander Groin Limited Full
DB Anthony Harris  Groin Limited DNP
OL Brett Jones Knee Limited DNP
DB Andrew Sendejo Groin Limited Limited
CB Trae Waynes Ankle Limited Full
FB C.J. Ham Ankle Full Full
LB Eric Kendricks Hip Full Full
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo Shoulder Full Full
CB Xavier Rhodes Elbow Full Full
DT Armon Watts Elbow Full Full

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 11:00 a.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Broncos injuries: Bryce Callahan held out of practice Wednesday

After practicing Tuesday, Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) was unable to practice Wednesday.

Denver Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan participated in practice Tuesday, which seemed like a good sign that he was making progress in his recovery from a foot injury. Unfortunately, the practice didn’t go well.

“Just OK, not great,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday when asked how the cornerback moved around in Tuesday’s practice. Callahan was held out of Wednesday’s practice but there’s a chance he might be able to practice Thursday.

Fangio didn’t rule out the possibility of Callahan being placed on injured reserve, which would end his season. Fangio also provided a positive update on wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand), who is expected to be activated from injured reserve to the 53-man roster this week.

“He looked good,” Fangio said. “I think he’ll be available to play this week.”

Denver’s complete injury report can be seen below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Bryce Callahan Foot DNP
TE Jeff Heuerman Knee Limited
OT Ja’Wuan James Knee Limited
CB Duke Dawson Foot Full
RB Phillip Lindsay Wrist Full
DB Will Parks Hand Full
DE DeMarcus Walker Shoulder Full

The Minnesota Vikings’ complete injury report can be seen below.

Player Injury Wed Thur Fri Status
DT Linval Joseph Knee DNP
OG Josh Kline Concussion DNP
DT Shamar Stephen Knee DNP
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring DNP
CB Mackensie Alexander Groin Limited
DB Anthony Harris  Groin Limited
OL Brett Jones Knee Limited
DB Andrew Sendejo Groin Limited
CB Trae Waynes Ankle Limited
FB C.J. Ham Ankle Full
LB Eric Kendricks Hip Full
DE Ifeadi Odenigbo Shoulder Full
CB Xavier Rhodes Elbow Full
DT Armon Watts Elbow Full

Sunday’s game will air on CBS at 11:00 a.m. MT (view the TV map here).

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Broncos CB Bryce Callahan will try to practice Tuesday

Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) is expected to return to practice Tuesday.

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (thumb) isn’t the only injured player expected to return to practice Tuesday. Broncos coach Vic Fangio said during his Monday press conference that cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) will try to practice as well.

“Yeah, I believe he’s going to try to practice tomorrow and we’ll see [how it goes],” Fangio said.

Callahan suffered a foot injury while playing with the Chicago Bears last year and the injury has prevented him from playing this season. The cornerback had a procedure to try to speed up the healing process in late September and was given a recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks.

We’re now more than six weeks removed from that procedure.

Wide receiver Tim Patrick (hand), safety Will Parks (hand) and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (shoulder) are also expected to practice Tuesday. Patrick is still on injured reserve but he might be activated to the 53-man roster later this week.

Fangio also said tight end Jeff Heuerman (knee) might be able to practice and it’s “up in the air” whether offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) will be able to practice or not. James has missed all but two games this year.

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