Bradley Chubb returns to practice, which is welcome news for the Broncos
Aug 2, 2021, 2:29 PM
While all eyes were on the quarterback battle again today at Broncos training camp, another player on the field raised some eyebrows. For the first time this season, Bradley Chubb was involved in practice.
It was a welcome sight. If Denver is going to be good this season, they’re going to have to rely on their defense. And the combination of Chubb and Von Miller on the outside is the fuel for the engine on that side of the ball.
In May, Chubb had surgery on the ankle to clean things up. He had bone spurs that were causing him problems.
“It was just one of those things that couldn’t do my job as as well as I wanted to do it,” Chubb explained on Monday. “We made a decision to go in there and clean it out.”
When training camp started last week, Chubb wasn’t on the practice field with his teammates. Instead, he was off to the side, working out with trainers.
This was cause for concern, as it suggested that the linebacker was still battling the injury. So it was good to see Chubb back on the field today.
“It was supposed to be longer recovery,” the Pro Bowl selection explained. “It’s all structurally good. I should be ready for sure.”
It’s the second-straight offseason in which Chubb was rehabbing from an injury. A year ago, he was trying to bounce back from a knee injury. This time, however, was much different.
“With and ACL, you’re gonna be out for a set amount of time,” the linebacker explained. “With this one, I didn’t really know. I’m feeling a little bit better one month and then the next month, I might get a little irritation.”
Eventually, Chubb got into a rhythm. He knew he’d be back on the field in a timely manner.
“It was easy to pace it,” he said. “I just trust in what these guys are telling me and it’s been working out for me so far.”
Chubb wasn’t the only one that was happy to be back on the field. Vic Fangio was also glad to see his Pro Bowl pass rusher back in action.
“It was his first day of action since he had the offseason surgery,” Fangio said. “I’m confident that he’s going to be fine.”
That said, the head coach is tempering his expectations. He knows it’s all part of the process.
“It’s more of a case of getting in shape and having a logical progression,” Fangio added. “When you have your foot in a boot for however long he did, you can’t do any work.”
The boot is off. The training wheels are off. Bradley Chubb is back on the field. That’s great news for the Broncos.
