The Broncos’ defensive issues just got more complicated.
Starting safety Justin Simmons did not participate Wednesday’s practice due to a hip injury. Simmons was not in uniform while stretching on the side field during the media’s viewing period.
Broncos’ defensive tackle Mike Purcell (ankle) and outside linebacker Frank Clark (hip) also did not practice, while left tackle Garett Bolles (ankle) was a limited participant.
The Broncos’ secondary has had its fair share of injury issues. Safety Caden Sterns is expected to be out for the season after tearing his patellar tendon in Week 1’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Safety P.J. Locke (ankle) and cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) are on injured reserve.
Simmons previously dealt with a groin injury that forced him to miss about two weeks of training camp last month.
The Dolphins, on the other hand, had their top two wide receivers land on the injury report. Tyreek Hill was limited due to an ankle injury, while Jaylen Waddle (concussion) did not practice. Waddle entered concussion protocol after a helmet-to-helmet hit in Sunday night’s win over the New England Patriots.
Denver’s defense was already at a disadvantage against the Dolphins, and Simmons’ injury could make things worse. The Dolphins are first in the NFL in total offensive yards (462.5 per game). Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the most passing yards in the league with 715. Meanwhile, the Broncos are ranked 21st in passing yards allowed (233 per game).
If Simmons doesn’t play Sunday, Delarrin Turner-Yell could start alongside Kareem Jackson. Turner-Yell stepped in after Jackson was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders because of a high hit on tight end Logan Thomas. Jackson was not suspended by the NFL, despite being flagged for unnecessary roughness in Week 1 for a high hit on Las Vegas wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, as well.
Turner-Yell played 29 snaps before a cramping issue knocked him out of the game, forcing nickel cornerback Essang Bassey to slide into the safety spot.
Wilson reacts to a career milestone
Amid a tough loss to the Commanders, quarterback Russell Wilson made history.
Wilson became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 40,000 yards and run for 5,000 yards. He reached that milestone after throwing for 308 yards while rushing for 56 on six carries on Sunday.
Wilson also has third-most games with at least 300 yards passing and 50 yards rushing, trailing Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and Buffalo’s Josh Allen.
“To do something like that is a blessing,” Wilson said. “When you are a young kid in Richmond, Virginia, and visualizing being in the NFL, and then you are doing it. (That’s) surreal. I think there’s more to do, though.”
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