Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak announced that quarterback Peyton Manning, safety T.J. Ward, linebacker Lerentee McCray, and defensive back Omar Bolden have all been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Kubiak on #DENvsPIT • Manning, Ward, McCray, Bolden are OUT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 18, 2015
Manning is still dealing with a foot injury, Ward is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered against the New England Patriots, McCray has a hamstring injury, and Bolden is dealing with a hamstring injury as well.
Speaking of Manning, the quarterback was held out of practice today because he was dealing with foot soreness. He will travel with the team and is expected to be on the sideline this weekend.
Despite being listed as questionable, running back, C.J. Anderson is expected to play Sunday. Kubiak says that the running back position is back to "full strength" this weekend. I'd assume Ronnie Hillman will still start the game, but look for Anderson to get plenty of touches.
One thing to keep an eye on this weekend is safety Darian Stewart. He did not practice all week because of a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. The Broncos are already down starter T.J. Ward at safety, so there's a chance they will be without both. Also, with safety Omar Bolden already ruled out, it looks like we'll see Keo and Bush get some playing time.
While Kubiak didn't say this, I'd expect Stewart to be a game-time decision on Sunday. They will work him out prior to the game like they have done with Emmanuel Sanders and Evan Mathis and see how he is. Even if he's active, there's a chance he might not play. They have done the same with C.J. Anderson and Louis Vasquez.
On a positive note, safety David Bruton is listed as probable and will more than likely get the starting nod at one of the safety positions on Sunday.
Wide receiver's Andre Caldwell and Bennie Fowler are both listed as questionable. It will be interesting to see their status when the inactives are posted prior to the game on Sunday.
As for the Steelers, they're looking rather healthy. All nine players on their injury report are listed as probable for Sunday's game.
Denver Broncos
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C.J. Anderson | RB | Ankle | DNP | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Owen Daniels | TE | Knee/Knee | DNP | LIMITED | FULL | PROBABLE |
Todd Davis | ILB | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Evan Mathis | G | Ankle | DNP | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Lerentee McCray | OLB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
Darian Stewart | S | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | QUESTIONABLE |
T.J. Ward | S | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
Omar Bolden | S | Hamstring | LIMITED | LIMITED | DNP | OUT |
David Bruton Jr. | S | Knee | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | PROBABLE |
Andre Caldwell | WR | Quadricep | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Bennie Fowler | WR | Ankle | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
Cody Latimer | WR | Hamstring | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Peyton Manning | QB | Foot | LIMITED | LIMITED | DNP | OUT |
Danny Trevathan | ILB | Concussion | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Ryan Harris | T | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Ronnie Hillman | RB | Foot | FULL | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Emmanuel Sanders | WR | Finger | FULL | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Vance Walker | DE | Shoulder | FULL | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
DeMarcus Ware | OLB | Back | FULL | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Sylvester Williams | NT | Ankle | FULL | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Demaryius Thomas | WR | NIR | NOT LISTED | DNP | FULL | PROBABLE |
Malik Jackson | DE | NIR | NOT LISTED | DNP | FULL | PROBABLE |
Pittsburgh Steelers
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bud Dupree | LB | Back | DNP | LIMITED | FULL | PROBABLE |
William Gay | CB | NIR | DNP | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
James Harrison | LB | NIR | DNP | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Heath Miller | TE | Rib | DNP | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Mike Mitchell | S | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | FULL | PROBABLE |
Matt Spaeth | TE | Knee | DNP | FULL | FULL | PROBABLE |
Will Allen | S | NIR | NOT LISTED | DNP | FULL | PROBABLE |
Ryan Shazier | LB | Knee | NOT LISTED | DNP | FULL | PROBABLE |
DeAngelo Williams | RB | Illness | NOT LISTED | DNP | LIMITED | PROBABLE |