Clayton: As schedule gets tougher, injuries could derail the Broncos

September went as expected for the Broncos. They beat the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets, three teams that combined for only nine wins last year.

But what didn’t go as expected was the injuries the team has suffered. All through training camp, I worried for the Broncos about getting injuries. Last year, they were in the top 10 in the NFL for missed starts. Now, as they head into the tough part of their schedule, things look bad.

Wide receiver K.J. Hamler blew out his ACL against the Jets and is lost for the season. That’s five lost starters in three weeks.

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, cornerback Ronald Darby, and linebackers Bradley Chubb and Josey Jewell are on injured reserve. Making matters even worse is guards Graham Glasgow and Dalton Risner are hurt and their statuses for the Baltimore game are uncertain. Glasgow is questionable with a knee injury and Risner is question with a foot injury.

Vic Fangio didn’t think either injury was season ending. But he’s unsure about this week.

In question now is the running offense. After Sunday’s win over the Jets, running back Melvin Gordon said the running game needs to get better. That can’t that happen if the Broncos have to go young along the offensive if they have to go with Netane Muti and Quinn Meinerz at their two guard spots.

Plus, they have to try to run against a Baltimore Ravens defense that is good stopping the run. That’ll be a tough challenge.

“The Ravens historically are very tough to run on,” Fangio said. “They have big defensive linemen and they have good players. Their scheme is hard to run on at times but we’re going to have to find a way to grind some yards out there.”

It won’t be easy.

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