Pritchard: Wolfe ‘impactful’ for Broncos, but ‘job on the line’ in 2018

To be healthy in the NFL, Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe said during OTAs, is a “blessing.”

And Wolfe would know.

Following a season in which it was one injury after another, including at one point losing feeling in his arm during a game due to a neck injury, Wolfe’s finally healthy.

“I’m excited to try to put a full season together at my full potential. Not have any setbacks,” said Wolfe, who feels “strong again” after undergoing surgery on his neck this offseason.

“Last year, it was the ankle. Then as soon as the ankle got better, the neck started up, so it’s been one thing after another. Getting those two things fixed up, it should be good.”

And with Wolfe finally 100 percent, “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard said he thinks there’s a “monster” within the defensive lineman.

“Now this guy is healthy. I think he’s aware of his situation, and I believe he’s going to turn it into something impactful this year,” Pritchard said.

But in a league often callous and harsh when it comes to production, Wolfe and the Broncos need to perform in 2018 or the veteran could be out the door, Pritchard said.

“Is his job on the line? Yeah, it is,” Pritchard said. “If this team loses, if this team does not reach expectations, then he’s one of those guys who is going to be expendable.

“He’s one of those guys where what we’re doing right now is not working. We’ve got to fix it, and we’ve got to go in a different direction.”

There had been speculation earlier this offseason that Wolfe, who has two years remaining on his deal with the Broncos, could have been a cap casualty with a cap hit of $10.7 million in 2018 and only $4.75 million in dead cap should he be released.

That number shrinks even further to $2.3 million in dead cap after next season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.