Broncos injury update: With Kendall Hinton out, who will return punts in Week 18?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Kendall Hinton flashed exactly what interim coach Jerry Rosburg wanted to see on punt returns last week. But chest and foot injuries will prevent Hinton from getting a second chance.

The Broncos ruled Hinton out for Sunday’s game. He did not practice all week.

That led to an obvious question: will Montrell Washington come back to punt-return duty? After 15 games filled with frustrating moments on punt returns, Rosburg demoted Washington last week, making him a healthy scratch.

“We’ll see on Sunday when we go right out there,” Rosburg said. “Whoever takes the field will be our returner of choice. I prefer not to give that information to the other team in advance. I’m sure you understand.”

Denver also ruled out OT Calvin Anderson and DL D.J. Jones.

Anderson suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago during practice and hasn’t played since.

Jones helped his fellow defensive linemen through individual drills Friday afternoon at Broncos practice. But that was the extent of his work, and his season will end early because of a knee injury. Jones didn’t practice all week. In the last two weeks, the only time he saw limited practice work was last Friday.

The 2022 free-agent pickup started the first 15 games of the season. To that point, he was one of just three Broncos to start every game.

Now, only two remain: safety Kareem Jackson and CB Pat Surtain II. Both are expected to start Sunday.

CB Damarri Mathis could also start. He is questionable but advanced through the concussion protocol to where he saw limited work Thursday and Friday.

Also questionable are edge rusher Jonathan Kongbo (illness), TE Eric Saubert (knee), TE Eric Tomlinson (ankle) and RT Billy Turner (back). All saw limited work Friday.

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