Report: Broncos TE Austin Fort tore ACL, done for season

The Broncos took yet another hit to their tight end corps.

The injury bug is a part of the game but just when you thought the Denver Broncos couldn't afford another hit to their tight end corps, it jumped up and bit them again.

In the Broncos' 22-14 preseason loss to Seattle on Thursday night, undrafted rookie TE Austin Fort was carted off in the second clutching his knee. He would undergo an MRI. The Broncos feared the worst. 

Adam Schefter reported Friday morning that Fort had indeed suffered a torn ACL. It will of course end the rookie's season. 

Fort's injury came on a 29-yard connection between him and Drew Lock in the second half. The former high school and college QB-turned-TE hauled in the pass despite the pain. 

It's another massive hit to an ailing TE corps for Denver. Missing in action on Thursday night was starter Jeff Heuerman, as well as Jake Butt, the latter of whom hasn't been on the practice field since the first two days of training camp. 

The Broncos brought in Moral Stephens after Bug Howard went down with an ankle. Besides, Stephens, the Broncos have rookie first-rounder Noah Fant and Troy Fumagalli as healthy tight end options. 

Expect the team to add some outside help in the wake of Fort's injury. It's the epitome of unfortunate and alas, it comes with the preseason territory. 

Teams hope they can avoid it but the injury bug is no respecter of persons. Fort had an impressive training camp and an encouraging start to the preseason, so hopefully the Broncos keep him around to rehab him and give him another shot next summer. 

Fullback Andy Janovich will also undergo an MRI on Friday with what has been conflictingly reported as a possible pectoral injury, as well as a triceps, as well as a possible shoulder. We will report as soon as we know. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.