Broncos injury update: Team’s hamstring woes continue

The Broncos have a dozen players on injured reserve with various and sundry infirmities. They have more of their salary cap currently on IR than any other team in the NFL. They’ll play Sunday’s game with their sixth different offensive-line combination. And some of the injuries are clearly of the unavoidable ilk that come with playing a collision sport.

But the number of hamstring injuries continues to stick out.

And one day after WR KJ Hamler succumbed in practice to a hamstring injury, the Broncos added another to the list: TE Andrew Beck.

The fourth-year veteran landed on the injury report with a hamstring issue suffered during Thursday’s practice, as first reported by KUSA-Ch. 9’s Mike Klis.

Yet another hamstring injury at Broncos practice today. Per source, FB/TE Andrew Beck was added to the injury report and is latest victim of hamstring epidemic at Dove Valley. The question regarding all the hamstring injuries is, Why? Time for some answers, guys. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) November 10, 2022

Hamler suffered his hamstring injury during Wednesday’s practice.

“It was a non-contact deal. Sometimes it happens,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said.

After sitting out Thursday, he appears unlikely to play against Tennessee. Hamler also missed a pair of games early in his rookie season due to hamstring issues, which also struck him during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.

“It’s a hamstring. Those things, we have to be sure we’re be smart with,” Hackett said. “So, we’ll see how it is moving forward.”

If Beck and Hamler do not play in Tennessee, they will become the eighth and ninth Broncos to miss time due to hamstring injuries this season. They would join a list that already includes the following players:

• CB Essang Bassey (2 games missed)
• WR Tyrie Cleveland (3 games missed)
• Edge rusher Jonathon Cooper (4 games missed)
• TE Greg Dulcich (5 games missed)
• RG Quinn Meinerz (4 games missed)
• CB Darius Phillips (4 games missed)
• QB Russell Wilson (1 game missed)

Also sitting out practice were edge rusher Baron Browning and Phillips. Browning remains sidelined due to a hip injury suffered in Week 7. Phillips missed the day duet an an illness.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE …

The Broncos welcomed safety Justin Simmons and OT Cam Fleming back to practice Thursday. They worked out on the north field used for rehab work Wednesday. Simmons is considered day-to-day with a sprained knee. Fleming missed the Week 8 game in London due to a quadriceps injury suffered against the New York Jets on Oct. 23.

RB Mike Boone was also seen working out on the north field. Boone remains on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain suffered against the Jets.

CB K’Waun Williams also saw a full workload after practicing on a limited basis Wednesday.

***