With Todd Davis doubtful for Week 1, Fangio reveals Broncos' plan at ILB

Todd Davis suffered a calf injury on the first day of training camp — July 18. His original prognosis? The answer is meaningless because he's already long since passed the date the team originally expected to have him back.

Still, the Broncos maintained some hope that Davis would be good to go come Week 1, but with the final injury report being released on Saturday, it's not looking good. Davis is listed as doubtful.

Head coach Vic Fangio said on Saturday that the team will 'probably' make a determination on Davis on Sunday. But meanwhile, who's going to step into the breach next to Josey Jewell if Davis does in fact sit?

The most obvious beneficiary appears to be the second-year LB Alexander Johnson. But in the case of the Broncos' inside linebacker corps, it might take a village, if you know what I mean.

“It will be a mix of him, Corey Nelson and the other guys” Fangio said.

Nelson was just signed on Monday, a few short days ago. Although he spent four years with the Broncos (2014-17), Nelson returns to Denver with an entirely new coaching staff and defensive scheme to learn. Just how effective could Nelson really be in Fangio's scheme with just one week to cram and learn?

“He’s done extremely well mentally which it was a tall task for him," Fangio said. "Obviously him already being in somebody else’s camp helped. He’s not having to get in football shape. He’s already there and he’s done a great job picking up the system.”

That's good news, because if the Broncos' ILB corps is lackluster in one particular area, it's in coverage. Nelson's most productive season as a pro came in 2016, where he started six games and accumulated 60-plus tackles on defense. But the most impressive aspect of his 2016 performance was his production as a coverage linebacker.

In 2016, Nelson allowed a passer rating of 74.6 when opposing QBs targeted him in coverage, which was the second-best LB mark in the league per Pro Football Focus. The Broncos are hoping to parlay that accomplishment in coverage into production again this year.

Expect the Broncos to roll out Johnson on base downs, with Nelson rotating in on third down and obvious passing situations as the nickel LB. But who will wear the radio in their helmet, to relay and call the defensive signals?

“Josey does,” Fangio said on Saturday.

With Antonio Brown officially out of Oakland, the Broncos' top defensive priority is likey stopping the run. That means shutting down and containing Raiders' rookie RB Josh Jacobs. Fangio's front should give Oakland's O-line fits in the running game but the onus will be on Jewell, Johnson and Nelson to swarm and get the rookie first-rounder on the ground.

“It’s vital," Fangio said. "The back (Jacobs) is really good, first-round pick. He’s a slasher. He’ll cut it back. He can ram it up in there. He’s hard to tackle in the open field. Defending the run is going to be critical.”

Here's to hoping the Broncos can get by for a game or two without their highest-paid inside linebacker. Consider this, though. The longer Davis is out, the more opportunity the Broncos will have to unearth a gem behind him on the depth chart.

Injury, not age, is the biggest cause of veteran players losing starting jobs in the NFL.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.

Add us as a preferred source on Google