Elway: Broncos 'Really Don't Know' If CB Bryce Callahan Will Ever Play In 2019
The Denver Broncos had a vision for Vic Fangio's maiden season as head coach and it included Bryce Callahan as the starting cornerback opposite of four-time Pro Bowler Chris Harris, Jr.
Alas, the Broncos have been forced to limp by, playing a litany of young, second-year players due to Callahan aggravating the same foot injury that cost him his final three games as a Chicago Bear in 2018.
Shortly after the Bears placed Callahan on injured reserve, he underwent a procedure on his foot. Three months later, the Broncos signed him to a three-year, $21 million contract.
Everything appeared to be headed in the right direction, as the fifth-year cornerback flashed dominant play during Broncos OTAs and the early portion of training camp. It all changed when Callahan's foot was stepped on during the Broncos' scrimmage at Mile High Stadium on July 27.
Callahan has not suited up since, though the Broncos chose not to place him on IR to open the regular season. Why? Because the team expected him to be healed up and ready to go at some point during the first quarter of the season.
But that didn't happen and so in a seeming final act of desperation, the team pulled the trigger on Callahan undergoing another procedure on that foot on September 25. Reports indicated that the procedure, designed to 'promote healing', would keep Callahan out another 4-6 weeks, putting his possible return perhaps somewhere around Week 9, if all went according to plan — Week 11 at the latest.
However, from the sounds of it, the Broncos really have no idea whether that last-ditch effort will save Callahan's season. GM John Elway was on hand for the celebration of the Broncos' Ring of Fame Top-100 Team and Callahan' timetable was broached.
“We’re hopeful, but we really don’t know," Elway said on Friday evening. "We’ll have to wait and see.”
No doubt, Callahan has to be frustrated by the way his first season in Denver has unfolded The fans are too, of course, as are the Broncos.
“It’s been frustrating for everybody including him," Elway said. "It’s just one of those things. We’ll see how the last thing goes and see if he’ll be able to get back this year or not.”
The "last thing" Elway is referring to is the last-ditch procedure Callahan underwent between Weeks 3 and 4. Meanwhile, the Broncos thought they had things well in hand at the cornerback position, expecting former third-rounder Isaac Yiadom to take a quantum leap forward in year two.
Alas, the Broncos have been disappointed again, as Yiadom has been benched in three of the team's five contests thus far. A silver lining emerged in the form of De'Vante Bausby, who showed promise as a key contributor opposite of Chris Harris, Jr. from Week 3 on.
Unfortunately, Bausby was the victim of some friendly fire in Week 5, as linebacker Alexander Johnson careened into the defensive back's head/neck area vs. the Chargers as the two teammates attempted to make a tackle. Bausby lost all feeling below his neck for 30 minutes following the collision, was carted off on a stretcher, and taken by ambulance to a local L.A. hospital.
He eventually regained feeling in his extremities and rejoined his team in time to fly home to Denver. But officially diagnosed with a cervical sprain (neck), Bausby was placed on IR earlier this week, done for the season. Veteran street free agent Coty Sensabaugh was subsequently worked out and signed to bolster the cornerback depth chart.
Bryce Callahan's absence continues to echo the deeper the Broncos get into their 2019 season. Who knows? Maybe Callahan returns somewhere close to the team's Week 10 bye.
But I wouldn't count on it. The Broncos are as flummoxed as the fans are and don't appear to have any concrete answers on Callahan's problematic foot. Now we understand why the team has been so cagey when it comes to Callahan's timetable to return.
Next up on the schedule are the 2-3 Tennessee Titans. The Broncos are hoping to stack another win on top of last week's victory over the Chargers as the severely depleted secondary continues to try and feel its way through this season.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.
