Broncos 2019 positional grades: Linebacker

Despite losing Bradley Chubb early in 2019, the Denver Broncos’ linebacker corps had a respectable 2019 season.

Denver Broncos fans saw the linebacker position as a highly intriguing part of the roster entering the 2019 NFL season for a couple of reasons. For one, it is an area the team has lacked in for several years and with Vic Fangio coming aboard as the team’s head coach, the hope was that would change.

Before becoming one of the league’s best defensive coordinators, Fangio made his name as the long time linebackers coach of the New Orleans Saints, where he helped create the “Dome Patrol.”

Let’s see how the Broncos’ linebackers each graded out in 2019.

Von Miller

Stats

Tackles: 46

Sacks: 8

Tackles for loss: 11

Miller played well in 2019, but we have come to expect big things out of the former Super Bowl MVP and we just didn’t get big things this past season.

He still led the team with eight sacks, but that was the lowest amount of sacks he put up in a season since he had just five in 2013, the year he tore his ACL.

Miller was adjusting to a new defensive scheme and depending on what side of the fence you’re on, you either believe that Miller isn’t a great fit for this defense or the coaching staff didn’t know how to use him.

While we can’t give him a bad grade for leading the team in sacks, he needs to be a much more disruptive force in 2020.

Grade: B-

Todd Davis

Stats

Tackles: 134

Tackles for loss: 6

Not only did Davis lead the Broncos in total tackles, but he was also tied for eighth in the entire league in that category.

Davis was strong in run support for the team and had what was statistically the best season of his career, despite playing in just 14 games.

Grade: B

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Broncos injuries: 5 players did not practice Wednesday

The Broncos held out five injured players from practice Wednesday.

Five Broncos players — guard Ron Leary (concussion), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle), offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee) and guard Dalton Risner (illness) — were held out of practice Wednesday.

Leary and James were both inactive last week and coach Vic Fangio indicated before practice Wednesday that they might be held out again on Sunday.

“Ron is still having difficulties with his concussion, so I don’t think it looks good right now,” Fangio said. “Ja’Wuan probably won’t play either.”

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, linebacker Joe Jones (back), defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (ankle) and tight end Noah Fant (shoulder) were listed as limited.

For the Lions, linebacker Devon Kennard (hamstring) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder) were held out of practice. Linebacker Christian Jones (shoulder), running back Bo Scarbrough (ribs) and offensive tackle Rick Wagner (knee) were limited.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. David Blough is expected to start against the Broncos in Week 16 with Kyle Sloter serving as his backup.

Sunday’s game will begin at 2:05 p.m. MT and will air on CBS.

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Broncos injuries: Noah Fant returns to practice

Broncos tight end Noah Fant practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

After sitting out practice Wednesday, Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (hip/foot) was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday. The Broncos remain hopeful that Fant will be able to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Fant returned Thurday but right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (ankle), guard Ron Leary (concussion), wide receiver Juwann Winfree (hamstring), defensive end DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and inside linebacker Joe Jones (back) were held out of practice.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive end Adam Gotsis (knee), outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (foot), inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee), outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), nose tackle Mike Purcell (shoulder/knee), and cornerback Isaac Yiadom (shoulder) are listed as limited.

For the Chiefs, cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder), defensive end Frank Clark (illness/shoulder) and cornerback Rashad Fenton (hamstring) were held out of practice. Running back Damien Williams (rib) and guard Andrew Wylie (shoulder) were limited. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (hand) fully practiced Wednesday.

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

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Broncos injuries: 6 players held out of practice Wednesday

Six Broncos players were held out of practice with injuries on Wednesday.

Six Denver Broncos players were held out of practice with injuries Wednesday, including three members of the offensive line. Safety Will Parks (hand) was still listed on the injury report Wednesday but he was a full participant in practice.

DNP = did not participate.

Player	Injury	Wed	Thur	Fri	Status
LB Justin Hollins	Hamstring	DNP
LB Joe Jones	Foot	DNP
OG Ron Leary	Shoulder/Neck	DNP
OL Connor McGovern	Back	DNP
WR Tim Patrick	Shoulder	DNP
OG Dalton Risner	Ankle	DNP

Four other players — tight end Jeff Heuerman (foot), offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee), running back Phillip Lindsay (foot/wrist) and nose tackle Mike Purcell (ribs) — were limited.

For the Buffalo Bills, three players were held out of practice with injuries.

Player	Injury	Wed	Thur	Fri	Status
DE Jerry Hughes	Groin	DNP
DB Siran Neal	Concussion	DNP
OT Ty Nsekhe	Ankle	DNP

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

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