The Broncos’ flood of injuries shows no signs of ebbing

DENVER — With a four-game losing streak and a list of injured players growing longer than the grocery list for a family of eight, the Broncos’ woes worsened Monday.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that edge rusher Baron Browning will miss “several weeks” due to the hip injury he incurred during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 16-9 loss to the New York Jets.

#Broncos LB Baron Browning is expected to miss several weeks because of the hip injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the #Jets, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 24, 2022

That means that the Broncos will play next Sunday in London without both Browning and Randy Gregory. The offseason free-agent pickup remains on injured reserve following arthroscopic surgery to repair a knee injury suffered Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Gregory could return by the Broncos’ game at Tennessee on Nov. 13, after their Week 9 bye.

But with Browning not available, this could put a wrench in any potential trade of Bradley Chubb. One reason why the Broncos could consider trading Chubb was the presence of Browning, who appears to be of high-level starting quality.

Dealing Chubb would mean that in the short term, the Broncos might have to start rookie Nik Bonitto or second-year player Jonathon Cooper — or both, if Gregory’s return doesn’t come until after Week 10.

Denver’s edge-rushing depth took a hit last week, as well, when reserve Aaron Patrick tore his ACL.

Browning’s injury deals a crushing blow to the defense, which came to rely on his explosiveness in the last three games. Browning posted 2.5 sacks, 4 tackles for losses, 7 quarterback hits and an interception since replacing Gregory.

Further, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Browning became the first Bronco since Von Miller in 2018 to have a sack and an interception in the same game.

Browning becomes the seventh starter currently sidelined, joining:

• LT Garett Bolles (fractured ankle)
• CB Ronald Darby (torn ACL)
• Edge rusher Randy Gregory (knee)
• ILB Josey Jewell (knee sprain)
• WR Tim Patrick (torn ACL)
• RB Javonte Williams (torn knee ligaments)

AND WHAT’S MORE … RB Mike Boone is expected to miss the next several games with a high ankle sprain. KUSA-Ch. 9’s Mike Klis first reported the injury. Boone left Sunday’s game in the second quarter and did not return.

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