Broncos Chargers injury report: Omar Bolden, Brandon Flowers out

The Denver Broncos finished up their short week of practice on Wednesday. Today is a Friday during a regular game week, but because they play on Thursday Night Football the final injury reports are released today.

The notable names on the report all week have been cornerback Omar Bolden, linebacker Steven Johnson and kicker Brandon McManus. There's some good and bad news regarding these players. Here's the bad news first, Omar Bolden is out for Thursday Nights game with a concussion. This really isn't a big surprise considering he would have to pass the concussion protocol on a very short week. Also linebacker/special teamer Steven Johnson is considered questionable for Thursday's night game. Johnson has a chance to play, but probably be one of those game time decisions. The good news is that kicker Brandon McManus was full go during today's practice and will be good to go for tomorrow's game. This shouldn't be a huge surprise considering he's the only kicker on the roster.

Fox - Boldin out ball out Stevie johnson questionable. McManus is full.

— Darren McKee (@dmac1043) October 22, 2014

With Omar Bolden being out It looks like cornerback Tony Carter will be replacing him on special teams/defense. If Steven Johnson isn't able to go I think rookie linebacker Corey Nelson and backup linebacker Lerentee McCray will combine to replace his efforts on special teams.

Head Coach John Fox isn't too worried about his special teams with Bolden being out, and Johnson questionable.

"Yeah, I like the depth of our football team so we got options that we feel good about. Stevie is still questionable for the game. Obviously with the concussion Omar is out so he will not be an option but Stevie still has that possibility."

Also running back Montee Ball has also been ruled out for tomorrows game against the San Diego Chargers. This obviously comes as no surprise as he hasn't even returned to practice. The Broncos expected Ball to be out at least three weeks with this groin injury, but there's some talk out there that he could be out until week 11. With the one two punch of Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson doing well there's no need to rush Ball back.

It will be interesting to see how this team handles the short week of practice this time around. As we all know the team looked flat when they played the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Night Football last season. Many looked to the short week of practice as to why that happened. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders wasn't on the team for that loss, but he likes the way this years Broncos squad handled the short week of practice this week.

"I think we handled it pretty well. I think we came in with a great gameplan in terms of how we’re going to attack it from a mental and physical standpoint and obviously we didn’t do too much in terms of practice and lifting weights so that our bodies feel good and from a mental standpoint, we put in all the install and all our plays yesterday to give us two or three days to get used to the plays. So hopefully we’ll be successful with it."

The Broncos re-signed one of their own to their practice squad on Wednesday. The Broncos waived linebacker Shaquil Barrett from their roster earlier this week to make room for running back Kapri Bibbs. Barrett went unclaimed through waivers and was signed back to the teams 10-man Practice Squad.

The #Broncos have re-signed LB Shaquil Barrett to their practice squad after he cleared waivers. pic.twitter.com/oiDCOSwdVO

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 22, 2014

As for the Chargers they will be without their starting cornerback Brandon Flowers, and rookie cornerback Jason Verrett is questionable. Losing Flowers hurts the Chargers secondary, losing Verrett would be disastrous considering you're facing Peyton Manning and a red hot Denver Broncos offense.

CB Brandon Flowers out for Chargers Thursday. Jason Verrett is questionable. Would be rough matchup if Verrett can’t go.

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 22, 2014

The Chargers are a banged up team. They will be without running backs Ryan Matthews and Donald Brown. Rookie Brandon Oliver has stepped up in their place and has done well. Rookie linebacker Jerry Attaochu is doubtful and inside linebacker Manti Te'o is out.

The Chargers have three corners who are either out or questionable for tomorrow nights game against Peyton Manning. Two of which are starters. That's never good.

Denver Broncos:

Note: * Estimate – team did not practice Monday

San Diego Chargers:

Note: * Estimate – team did not practice Monday

STATUS DEFINITIONS:

BOLD-Indicates change in status

Out - player definitely will not play

Doubtful - at least 75% chance player will not play

Questionable - 50-50 chance player will not play

Probable - virtual certainty player will be available for normal duty