Big Al: Next man up for Broncos at tight end after Jake Butt tears ACL
Sep 27, 2018, 5:35 PM | Updated: 5:37 pm
In the wake of the torn ACL suffered by Jake Butt on Thursday, it’s next man up for the Denver Broncos according to “The Drive” co-host Alfred “Big Al” Williams.
Butt, the team announced on Thursday, will miss the rest of the 2018 season after suffering an ACL tear in his left knee.
It’s Butt’s second tear in that knee and third overall. He tore his right ACL in his final college game at Michigan, causing him to plummet down draft boards and miss his entire rookie season with the Broncos in recovery.
“I want to see him do well, but at the same point we always knew that the guy came in with two ACL surgeries to leave Michigan …” Williams said, adding, “You don’t depend on a guy who’s had that kind of injury history is what I’m saying.”
Williams said it’s imperative for NFL teams to have “quality depth at every position,” and that means whoever’s next up for the Broncos at tight end needs to step into the role.
“If it happens to be a younger guy that needs to step up, well, then it’s his turn. And that young guy, for me, is already on this roster,” Williams said. “So, let’s just go. Let’s do it.”
Remaining on the active roster at the position are Jeff Heuerman and Matt LaCosse, with Brian Parker still lingering on the practice squad for the moment.
While putting his concern level at a two on a scale of 1-10, Williams did say the Broncos could lose a bit of an edge in terms of quarterback and receiver timing with Butt’s injury.
“But that’s why there are 24 hours in a day,” Williams said. “You have more time to do the things you need during the season than you do in the offseason, and you can build continuity during the season.”
However, the concern over Butt’s absence remains higher with Williams’ co-host DMac.
“I think he was a major cog for everything they were going to work on this year,” DMac said. “In third down and red zone and all of that, I thought he was going to be a big part of that.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
