Broncos Week 7 Injury Report: WR Emmanuel Sanders Expected to Play
The Denver Broncos are poised to cross swords with the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time in 2019. The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs was in Week 2 of the 2015 season.
Remember the Jamaal Charles fumble, forced by Brandon Marshall, with Bradley Roby's scoop-and-score? If it seems like it was a long time ago to you, it's because it was. More than four years in real time.
The Broncos have suffered seven straight losses to the Chiefs. But the flip-side to that coin is that the Law of Averages at some point has to take effect. Rarely does a Division rivalry last so long this lopsided.
Something's got to give. Will Week 7's Broncos-Chiefs tilt on Thursday Night Football be the turning point? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, the Broncos and Chiefs released their final injury report for Week 7. The Broncos have listed one player as out and one as questionable. Let's take a look.
Broncos Takeaways: After leaving Week 6 mid-game with a mysterious injury, Emmanuel Sanders is expected to suit up and play vs. the Chiefs. Although he's received just four targets over the previous six quarters of play (two catches, nine yards), the Broncos are a better offense when he's on the field.
Sanders provides that explosive element to the Broncos' passing game that is otherwise absent when he's not on the field. Now, if only he and QB Joe Flacco can rediscover that chemistry they seemed to establish in the first two games of this season, in which Sanders hauled in 16 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, while still finding a way to keep Courtland Sutton fed, the Broncos' passing attack would be in business.
Going against Patrick Mahomes, this is likely a game in which the Broncos are going to have to score points beyond their mean.
Meanwhile, Ja'Wuan James' status is still uncertain, as he is listed as questionable, but the expectation — barring an unforeseen setback — is that the Broncos will get their $51 million right tackle back. James' return will help Flacco tremendously, as stop-gap replacement Elijah Wilkinson has been downright cringeworthy in pass protection at times.
DB Duke Dawson is on the mend and was a full participant in Wednesday's practice after missing Week 6's action. All others listed are dealing with the bumps and bruises associated with the game and are all expected to be a full-go on Thursday night.
Chiefs Takeaways: Patrick Mahomes' ankle isn't right. Adding insult to injury for the Chiefs is the continued absence of starting left tackle Eric Fisher. This could be the game we see Von Miller get some sacks 'in bunches'.
Starting WR Sammy Watkins has been ruled out, which bodes well for the Broncos secondary. Meanwhile, the Chiefs defense will be sans two starters — DL Chris Jones (he of the 15.5 sacks last year) and CB Kendall Fuller.
The Broncos have drawn some pretty stingy defenses to open this season and the Chiefs are really the first respite from that. Minus a couple of starters on that side of the ball for Kansas City, the opportunity to put up some points likely won't be greater for Joe Flacco and company.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.
