Broncos without key starters at practice Tuesday

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos center Luke Wattenberg did not practice, putting his status for the Christmas night game against the Kansas City Chiefs into question.

Wattenberg, who has fired every snap to Pro Bowl alternate quarterback Bo Nix this season, landed on the injury report Monday with a shoulder issue. The Broncos listed him as not practicing on that report, which was an estimation, since the team did not hold an on-field session, instead having its mandated off-day following Sunday’s 34-20 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Also not practicing Tuesday were wide receiver Pat Bryant, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end Nate Adkins. Bryant suffered a concussion Sunday after absorbing a hit that briefly sent him to a local hospital. Greenlaw pulled up near the sideline in the final moments with a hamstring injury. Adkins suffered a knee injury in the first half and did not return.

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Greenlaw’s continued injury issues are frustrating for the Broncos, but with Justin Strnad practicing Tuesday, they should be able to withstand his potential absence Thursday night.

Strnad missed last Sunday’s game after suffering a foot injury — which was initially called an ankle injury — in the first quarter of the 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 14. He missed practice last week but returned to the field Tuesday.

The Broncos listed Strnad as having full participation on Monday’s estimation.

Rookie Karene Reid also practiced Tuesday as the team continued to ramp him up. He officially remains on injured reserve and is six days into his window to be activated from injured reserve.

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