:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57970403/873401180.jpg.0.jpg)
News broke this afternoon that the Broncos are placing Justin Simmons on injured reserve, ending a standout season for the second-year safety.
With little meaningful games left, #Broncos wisely place injured Safety Justin Simmons on IR, ending his sophomore campaign.
— Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH) December 13, 2017
Thus ends a very solid sophomore year for Simmons. Expect him to take over FS full time next year and improve even more in his 3rd NFL Season next year.
Simmons injured himself while celebrating with linebacker Brandon Marshall last Sunday, after the latter strip-sacked Jets quarterback Josh McCown. The two players performed a leaping bump, and Simmons’ ankle twisted badly when his foot landed on top of Marshall’s afterward.
What was initially reported as a simple sprained ankle may have turned out to be more serious. Or the Broncos may simply be being careful with the budding star and allowing other young safeties like Will Parks and Jamal Carter more opportunities.
Simmons is far from the first player to end up on IR this year, joining guard Ron Leary among starters who’ve recently been shut down for the remainder of the season.
Justin Simmons is the 11th Broncos player and fifth starter to be placed on injured reserve this season.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 13, 2017
While Simmons was already a long shot to play Thursday evening against the Colts, his confirmed absence will mean the Broncos’ secondary may be more vulnerable to big passing plays.
And unfortunately, big passing plays are one of the few things a pretty terrible Colts offense has managed to do.
It’s a matchup worth keeping an eye on.