Devontae Booker’s injury raises further questions for Broncos offense
By Matt Conner
Devontae Booker’s injury cast a further shadow on a Denver Broncos offense that was already struggling to put things together.
The Denver Broncos are an intriguing study in the AFC West. The team is two years off of a Super Bowl win. They’ve also represented the AFC in two of the last four Super Bowls. Yet one year after missing the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, the Broncos offense has put the team’s postseason hopes in doubt for a second consecutive year.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, that offense was just made worse with the news that running back Devontae Booker will miss the first several weeks of the regular season with a wrist injury. Per Broncos reporter Mike Klis, Booker discovered a fracture after complaining of discomfort. The injury will place him on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
The Broncos now turn to C.J. Anderson and new imports Jamaal Charles, a free agent signing from the Kansas City Chiefs, and De’Angelo Henderson, a sixth round choice this season. Last season, Booker had the lion’s share of carries, thanks to an injury to Anderson, but finished with a scant 3.5 yards/carry. Only Anderson broke the 4.0 yard mark with that exact total. There’s definitely room for a new player such as Charles to step up and provide even a shadow of his former self.
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Booker’s injury only hinders an offense that already struggled to move the chains. The Broncos are still reportedly torn between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch as their starting quarterback, which means neither is taking the reins and impressing the new coaching staff under Vance Joseph. Pass catchers are not an issue with Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas in town, but delivering the ball to them has been an issue since Peyton Manning’s retirement.
Fortunately, the core of the defense that got them to the Super Bowl is still very much intact. The Broncos undoubtedly boast the best pair of cornerbacks in the NFL in Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. The presence of Von Miller will always present an issue. The Broncos will once again feature a stout defense that should finish the season ranked among the league’s best. To waste these prime years on an offense that sputters most of the time is unfortunate for Denver.
Perhaps the team’s recent offensive line acquisitions, including the trade for Allen Barbre, will reap greater dividends than expected and one of the quarterbacks will settle into the starting role. Perhaps Charles will provide a spark that mirrors his past and solve the running back dilemma as well. But those are a lot of questions to be answered for a team that looks ready-made for January on the other side of the ball.