Tag: K’Waun Williams

Broncos injuries: 2 players set to miss ‘a few weeks’

Broncos WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) and CB K’Waun Williams (knee) are expected to miss a few games.

Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring) and slot cornerback K’Waun Williams (knee) are expected to miss “a few weeks,” coach Nathaniel Hackett announced before Wednesday’s practice.

Neither player has been placed on injured reserve, which might be a sign that the Broncos have optimism that they could return within four weeks.

Kendall Hinton and Montrell Washington are the two most likely candidates to fill in for Hamler on offense. Essang Bassey and Michael Ojemudia are presumably the top candidates to help replace Williams in the secondary.

Elsewhere on the injury front, long snapper Mitchell Fraboni was placed on IR, which will sideline him for at least four weeks. Meanwhile, Jacob Bobenmoyer, the team’s regular long snapper, returned to practice Wednesday and he is eligible to be activated off IR to the 53-man roster this week.

Denver’s complete Wednesday injury report can be seen below.

The Broncos will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Week 11.

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Broncos CB K’Waun Williams has a new injury that will sideline him ‘at least’ 4 weeks

9News reports Broncos CB K’Waun Williams will be sidelined for “at least” four weeks with a knee injury.

Denver Broncos slot cornerback K’Waun Williams had already been playing with a cast due to a wrist injury this season, then he suffered a new injury against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Williams injured his knee and he will now “undergo arthroscopic knee surgery” that will sideline him for “at least” four weeks, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed the injury on Monday, announcing that Williams will be “week-to-week” going forward.

If the cornerback really is going to miss at least four games, it would make sense for Denver to place him on injured reserve to free up a roster spot.

While Williams is sidelined, Essang Bassey would presumably be the most likely candidate to play in the slot. Pat Surtain and Damarri Mathis are the team’s two starters on the outside, with Darius Phillips and Michael Ojemudia providing additional depth at cornerback.

Elsewhere on the injury front for the Broncos, right tackle Billy Turner (knee) is also week-to-week while wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and center Graham Glasgow (shoulder) are considered day-to-day.

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5 takeaways from Broncos 21-17 win over Jaguars

The Denver Broncos head into their bye with momentum after a 21-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Denver Broncos snapped a four-game losing streak against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, a thrilling 21-17 win. We take a look at five takeaways from the game.

Broncos injuries: Quinn Meinerz expected to miss 4 weeks

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz is expected to miss about four weeks with a hamstring injury.

The Denver Broncos lost guard Quinn Meinerz (hamstring) and slot cornerback K’Waun Williams (hand) to injuries during Monday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Meinerz will be sidelined for “about” four weeks after straining his hamstring, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Meinerz left the game in the first half and was replaced by veteran Graham Glasgow, who played 48 snaps. Glasgow was not penalized and was not credited with allowing any sacks against the Seahawks.

Glasgow will likely start while Meinerz is sidelined. Denver also has Netane Muti available on the practice squad, and offensive lineman Billy Turner can play both as a tackle and as a guard (once he’s healthy).

As for Williams, his status is less certain. If he has to miss any time, the list of candidates to replace Williams in the slot likely includes safety Caden Sterns, rookie Damarri Mathis, veteran Darius Phillips and practice squad cornerback Essang Bassey.

We’ll know more on Williams and the team’s other injuries after the Broncos release their initial Week 2 injury report on Wednesday.

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Broncos ‘feel good’ about cornerback depth chart

“I feel good,” Broncos GM George Paton said of the team’s CB depth chart. “We have a good mix of veteran and younger players.”

The Denver Broncos have impressive talent at the top of their cornerback depth chart, but the depth is a little shallow behind the top three options.

Pat Surtain and Ronald Darby are the locked-in starters on the outside with experienced vet K’Waun Williams playing on the inside.

Behind them, the Broncos have promising — but unproven — rookie Damarri Mathis and newly-signed veteran Darius Phillips.

“We have five corners, that’s typically what teams [keep], five or six,” general manager George Paton said last week. “I feel good. We have a good mix of veteran and younger players. ‘Darb’ and K’Waun are kind of the veteran [leaders] and really Pat is really a vet, he’s a second-year vet. Then you have this young, really talented kid in Damarri Mathis, and I think he’s ready to go if he has to play.”

The Broncos also have Essang Bassey available on the practice squad, along with rookies Faion Hicks and Ja’Quan McMillian.

“[Bassey] can do everything,” Paton said. “He can play inside; he can play outside, and he’s played a little safety.”

Additionally, Denver also has cornerback Michael Ojemudia (elbow) on injured reserve, and he’ll be eligible to return in Week 5.

Broncos fans will hope the team’s depth at cornerback won’t be tested this year, but if injuries do pop up, Paton seems to be confident in the team’s depth at the position.

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Broncos offseason roster: No. 21, CB K’Waun Williams

Broncos CB K’Waun Williams has totaled 12 QB hits, 11 forced fumbles, seven sacks and four INTs in 91 career games.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at eighth-year cornerback K’Waun Williams, No. 21.

Before the Broncos: Williams (5-9, 185 pounds) entered the NFL as a college free agent out of Pittsburgh with the Cleveland Browns in 2014. After two seasons in Cleveland, he had a short stint with the Chicago Bears before landing with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played from 2017-2021.

Williams is a play-making slot cornerback who’s totaled 301 tackles (21 behind the line of scrimmage), 27 pass breakups, 12 quarterback hits, 11 forced fumbles, seven sacks and four interceptions in 91 career games (46 starts).

Broncos tenure: Williams signed a two-year deal with Denver in March. He’ll make his Bronco debut during preseason.

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Williams seems to be a near-lock to make the team and he is expected to serve as the team’s slot cornerback this fall. Denver opted to not re-sign Bryce Callahan during free agency, signing Williams to replace him.

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D.J. Jones brings big-play ability to Broncos’ defensive line

What role will D.J. Jones have with the Broncos? “Just dominate. That’s all I want to do — be a wrecking ball.”

The Denver Broncos needed to improve their run defense this offseason, and they did so in part by signing veteran defensive lineman D.J. Jones to a three-year, $30 million contract.

Jones totaled 126 tackles (23 behind the line of scrimmage), nine quarterback hits, seven sacks, three pass breakups and three forced fumbles in five years (61 games) with the 49ers. He’s now looking to build on those numbers in Denver.

“Dominate here,” Jones said on May 24 when asked what the next step forward in his career is. “I feel like I made a mark in San Francisco, but I think it’s time to bring that here and help this community and help this team. I’m here to do whatever they need me to do.”

One of Jones’ teammates in San Francisco, cornerback K’Waun Williams, also signed with the Broncos this offseason. Williams has witnessed firsthand what Jones is capable of on the defensive line.

“A lot, man,” Willams said earlier this month when asked what Jones brings to the defense. “A lot of explosion, and a lot of big-play ability. He runs after the ball, and he makes a lot of big plays out there. Having him come with me from San Fran has been great in us learning, adapting, and embracing a new scheme.”

Jones has big expectations for Denver’s defensive line this season, saying he believes the unit can rank No. 1 in the NFL if they stay healthy. He also has big expectations for himself, aiming to top five sacks in 2022.

“I think this is the perfect scheme to do it,” Jones said of his five-sack goal. “It’s the perfect group of guys to work with and better myself in that …. I think everybody’s goal is to be first-team, second-team, Pro Bowl and things like that to be recognized by coaches and players. [Also], just dominate. That’s all I want to do — be a wrecking ball.”

A wrecking ball? Yup. That’ll do.

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K’Waun Williams joins Broncos with Super Bowl aspirations

“I’ve been there and I’ve been close. I’ve played in the Super Bowl …. we’re just trying to win here,” K’Waun Williams said.

New Denver Broncos cornerback K’Waun Williams joined the team last week after they had previously acquired quarterback Russell Wilson and pass rusher Randy Gregory, two big additions that could put the Broncos back in contention in the AFC this season.

Williams, who reached Super Bowl LIV with the San Francisco 49ers following the 2019 season, has aspirations of winning a title in Denver.

“Absolutely,” Williams said during his introductory Zoom press conference. “I’ve been there and I’ve been close. I’ve played in the Super Bowl and the NFC Championships. But moving forward, we’re just trying to win here.”

Playing in the NFC West, Williams played against the Los Angeles Rams and then-secondary coach Ejiro Evero twice a season. Evero now serves as Denver’s defensive coordinator.

“I’m excited to work with him,” Williams said. “Speaking to him today, just bouncing off ideas and seeing how he wants to attack offenses — I’m excited about it. Being familiar with the Rams and the conference that he’s coming from, I’ve seen how they play defense. I’m just getting ready to have fun.”

Williams, 30, will serve as the Broncos’ slot cornerback this season.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos CB K’Waun Williams

K’Waun Williams is a play maker!

The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on a two-year, $7 million contract with defensive back K’Waun Williams on Tuesday.

Williams (5-9, 185 pounds) is a play-making slot cornerback who’s good not just in coverage but also as a run defender and even as a pass rusher, totaling five sacks and four interceptions in five years with the San Francisco 49ers.

Here are some highlights from Williams’ time in San Francisco:

Broncos fans will especially like this sequence from the NFC playoffs last year when defensive lineman DJ Jones recorded a sack followed by Williams recording an interception:

Jones and Williams will now reunite in Denver.

The Broncos seem poised to have Pat Surtain and Ronald Darby serve as their top two outside cornerbacks this season with Williams playing in the slot. That would leave Michael Ojemudia and Essang Bassey as the team’s depth options — Denver will likely add more CB depth through the draft and with college free agents next month.

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