Broncos Pro Bowler suffers ankle injury, but returns

DENVER — Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with an ankle injury, but returned early in the second half.

The Pro Bowl left tackle succumbed with 5:55 remaining in the second quarter, getting caught up in a thicket of players as RJ Harvey ran to the left side for a 3-yard gain. Bolles was caught in traffic from behind and fell awkwardly to the ground.

He remained on the grass face-down for a moment before team medical personnel arrived. Eventually he rose and walked under his own power to the blue medical tent on the Broncos’ sideline, but did so with a deliberate, labored gait.

A few moments later, Bolles emerged from the tent and was guided by a team doctor through the tunnel on the west sideline to the Broncos’ locker room.

Second-year offensive lineman Frank Crum replaced Bolles in the lineup until the nine-year veteran came back on the first series after halftime.

BRONCOS ALREADY DEALING WITH AN INJURY UP FRONT

Bolles is the second first-team offensive lineman injured in the last two weeks. Center Luke Wattenberg landed on injured reserve on Christmas Day due to a shoulder injury.

Wattenberg will not be able to return until at least the conference-championship round. Alex Forsyth took his place in the lineup.

Forsyth left Sunday’s game for a four-play stretch after being hurt, but returned. Recent acquisition Sam Mustipher filled in for him on those snaps.

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