There is apparent good news on the injury front as fifth-year defensive end Derek Wolfe should be OK, though likely out of Saturday’s game, per Mike Klis of 9News.
Hearing no serious injury for Derek Wolfe. The limp tells me he'll be iffy-to-doubtful for preseason game Saturday. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 17, 2016
Klis told 104.3 The Fan Wednesday afternoon that Wolfe was limping pretty badly as he came back from tests but appeared to be OK. Klis also noted that he "heard from inside the building that he's going to be OK."
Wolfe himself told ESPN's Josina Anderson it was "nothing serious" and "if it was a regular season game I'd be playing. We'll see how I feel tomorrow."
Wolfe rolled his ankle while rushing the passer during 11-on-11 drills Wednesday afternoon in the Broncos' first joint practice with the 49ers.
.@BossWard43 on Derek Wolfe injury in practice: "I hope he's all right. But, man, that was a tough one."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 17, 2016
After Wednesday's practice, coach Gary Kubiak didn't have much information to offer but said Wolfe would get it looked at.
"I was on the other field so I have to go watch the play, but from my understanding he rolled his ankle," Kubiak said.
Wolfe limped from the field with help from trainers but appeared to be putting weight on both legs.
Derek Wolfe being helped off. What the Broncos could LEAST afford.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 17, 2016
Indeed the loss of Wolfe would be a huge blow to the NFL's best defense. No.95 logged 49 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season.
Just two days ago defensive end Vance Walker went down with an ACL injury and is out for the season. Without Wolfe, Broncos would be looking to two newbies - former Texans DE Jared Crick and rookie Adam Gotsis - to anchor the defensive line of the NFL's best front seven. Although the loss of Walker is a sting, the loss of Wolfe would be a devastation.
I don't know about you, but my fingers are crossed and I've knocked on wood.
Twice.