Klis: Broncos could be without Talib vs. Saints, Wolfe longer

For the second week in a row, Aqib Talib missed a game with a back injury, and the Denver Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback could be out another two at the least.

Joining 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” Monday, 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis said that Talib will miss one more game — Sunday against the Saints in New Orleans — and the team hopes to have him back after the bye on Nov. 27 against Kansas City.

“You don’t bring him back with a disc or lumbar. He’s got one disc or one lumbar problem in his lower back. You don’t bring him back on that Superdome turf,” Klis said.

Head coach Gary Kubiak said during his Monday press conference that Talib’s “doing better” and his status will be day-to-day this week.

“We’re not doing anything today, and he didn’t travel. He’s doing better. He’s in there feeling good,” Kubiak said.

In Talib’s absence, cornerback Bradley Roby earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 8 against the San Diego Chargers, but last week the second-year corner had somewhat of a letdown against the Oakland Raiders.

“Bradley played extremely well two weeks ago, and I know he would have liked to play better last night, like a lot of guys would. We believe in Bradley. We just have to come back this week and play better,” Kubiak said.

Talib’s shoes can be a challenge to fill. According to Pro Football Focus, he grades out better than all Broncos players and second among cornerbacks in the NFL, behind Houston’s A.J. Bouye.

Derek Wolfe’s injury, on the other hand, could sideline the defensive lineman for several weeks, according to Klis.

Wolfe suffered what he described to reporters as a hairline fracture in his elbow against the Raider on Sunday.

As @DenverChannel first reported, #Broncos Derek Wolfe has hairline fracture in right elbow. Will have more tests today but will miss time

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 7, 2016

And at first glance, there was a concern it could keep him out a similar amount of time to wide receiver Bennie Fowler and tackle Ty Sambrailo, both who had similar injuries and spent on the sidelines.

However, Kubiak said “no was the answer” to if Wolfe’s injury was similar to Fowler and Sabrailo’s and that early news about his prognosis was “encouraging.”

“We feel like Derek is obviously going to be OK, but we’re still evaluating exactly where he’s at, so it was encouraging news,” Kubiak said.

But, with fractures typically taking several weeks to heal, Klis believes Wolfe could see significant time away from the field.

“Wolfe, officially, is week-to-week, but a fracture is four to six weeks. We’ve been through this before with DeMarcus Ware’s fractured forearm,” Klis said.

“I think he’s probably closer to six weeks than he is four,” he added.

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