Renck: Bennie Fowler injury hurts Broncos on special teams

A small fracture to Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler’s elbow will keep the pass catcher sidelined for at least a few weeks, meaning Denver’s special teams unit will take a hit while also giving an opportunity to wide outs down the depth chart.

Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck joined “Schlereth and Evans” Monday to discuss Fowler’s fracture, calling the receiver one of Denver’s best special teamers.

“It hurts them more, I think, on special teams because it means another young guy is going to have to step up who has maybe not even played yet,” Renck said.

The injury also gives third-year wide out Cody Latimer a chance to solidify the No. 3 receiver slot on the depth chart, and a chance to perhaps finally realize the expectations 2014 second-round pick has felt in his first two NFL seasons.

Latimer said last week that he had been playing nervous in his first two seasons catching balls from future of Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. After Saturday’s practice, he indicated he’s as confident as he’s been to this point in his career.

“It’s because I’m confident. I don’t have to do a lot of thinking. I know the offense, so I can just go out there and just run,” Latimer said. “I don’t have to think so much and worry about things. I just go out there with confidence and make plays.”

The Fowler injury likely opens up another shot at a roster spot for fringe receivers, like Jordan “Sunshine” Taylor, Renck said, depending on how the special teams battle between Jordan Norwood and Kalif Raymond plays out.

As for a timetable to see Fowler back on the field, head coach Gary Kubiak said the wide out will “miss a little bit of time.”

The team will have Fowler continue with running and conditioning, Kubiak said, and will stabilize the elbow much like offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo, who hyperextended his elbow earlier in camp and has since been sidelined.

Fowler said after practice Saturday that he feels he’ll be back “in a couple of weeks,” perhaps even by the team’s final preseason game Aug. 27 against the Los Angeles Rams.

However, Renck said the quick turnaround sounds more unlikely than not.

“I’m not a doctor … but two weeks for a fracture, I think that might be a little ambitious, Renck said. “I would, frankly, be surprised if he’s ready for the opener.”

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