Clayton: Broncos don’t need to take on Chargers short-handed

Just what the Broncos needed.

On Thursday, they learned five players may have test positive for COVID-19. Now, they suggest a couple might be false positives, but the Broncos don’t need to go into the Los Angeles Chargers game minus any players.

They ended up cancelling practice and just holding meetings. But a missed practice for a game as important as this one is a big setback. They needed practice for a struggling offense. Drew Lock needs as much practice time possible. He needs to find a way to get the ball to Jerry Jeudy. They need to run the ball more. Missing players doesn’t help anything.

The Broncos know if they lose this game the season is officially lost. They won’t make the playoffs, and they might have to make a change at head coach. Vic Fangio wants to be back for his fourth and final season, but he really needs to win this game.

Fangio said Thursday that one of the big problems on offense is getting into too many third-and-long situations. As good as they are on defense, allowing few points, Fangio said they need to create more turnovers. Sunday’s game against the Chargers is everything to the Broncos.

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