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The Denver Broncos have sent both quarterback Joe Flacco and inside linebacker Corey Nelson to injured reserve, which means they had to make some corresponding roster moves to compensate.
The first of which came in finding a backup quarterback to come in behind Brandon Allen, who is making his first NFL start on Sunday versus the Cleveland Browns. That player will be undrafted rookie Brett Rypien. In three preseason games, Rypien completed 61.4% of his passes for 207 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
On the defensive side of the ball, Nelson will be replaced by another undrafted rookie in Josh Watson. The former Colorado State player has spent the entire regular season on the Broncos practice squad.
The bad news for Denver didn’t stop there as Will Parks, Ja’Wuan James, and Jeff Heuerman were all ruled out for Week 9 as well. The Browns are not all that healthy either, with several players ruled out and one sent to IR as well.
Here is a full injury participation report for both teams.
Broncos injury report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| Bryce Callahan | CB | Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Todd Davis | ILB | Knee / Hip | DNP | LIMITED | FULL | |
| Joe Flacco | QB | Neck | DNP | DNP | INJURED RESERVE | INJURED RESERVE |
| Jeff Heuerman | TE | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Ja’Wuan James | T | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Von Miller | OLB | Knee | DNP | LIMITED | FULL | |
| Corey Nelson | ILB | Biceps | DNP | DNP | INJURED RESERVE | INJURED RESERVE |
| Will Parks | S | Hand | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Joseph Jones | ILB | Ribs | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | |
| Ron Leary | G | NIR | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | |
| Phillip Lindsay | RB | Wrist | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | |
| Dalton Risner | G | Ankle | LIMITED | LIMITED | FULL | |
| DeMarcus Walker | DE | Shoulder | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
| Justin Hollins | LB | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL |
Browns injury report
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| Pharaoh Brown | TE | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Damarious Randall | S | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | Groin | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | |
| Daniel Ekuale | DT | Calf | LIMITED | DNP | INJURED RESERVE | INJURED RESERVE |
| Jarvis Landry | WR | Shoulder | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | |
| Sheldrick Redwine | S | Hamstring | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | |
| Kendall Lamm | T | Knee | FULL | FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
| Jermaine Whitehead | S | Hand | FULL | FULL | FULL | |
| Eric Murray | S | Knee | NOT LISTED | DNP | DNP | OUT |