Von Miller’s season could be over before it starts

The Broncos learned that Von Miller could miss the season on Tuesday.

On Tuesday evening, news broke that the Denver Broncos’ star pass rusher Von Miller, a man owned by Mitchell Schwartz and wearer of great glasses, went down with a lower leg injury that the team feared could be season ending.

Miller’s injury occurred at the very end of practice. The Broncos had been forced inside due to the blizzard in Colorado and the injury was deemed “freak.” An MRI later revealed that it was an injury to a tendon in his ankle that will likely require surgery. Miller is headed to Dr. Robert Anderson in Michigan on Thursday to get a second opinion, but it looks like Miller’s season is over before it even began.

This is a tough blow to the Broncos as they made some excellent moves this season and were solid candidates for a wild card run for the postseason. Not only that, but Bradley Chubb, the pass rusher opposite Miller, is still rehabbing back from his knee injury last season. Reports were that he was going to be on a snap count early this season while he continued to work back.

Miller was reportedly unblockable throughout training camp and hopes were high for the tandem of Chubb and Miller as a young and promising Broncos team looked to challenge the reigning world champions in the Kansas City Chiefs. Miller was on the last year of his contract and had not signed an extension, so this makes his upcoming rehab and offseason even more dicey.

Broncos fans are devastated as it truly looked like this team could go places. With the emergence of Drew Lock, the draft class featuring Jerry Jeudy, and even more additions, the Broncos have talent and speed. There was hope that they would put it all together and make a postseason run.

Now the Broncos are left with a “next man up” strategy. Miller is a vocal leader on their defense and the last remaining member of their Super Bowl winning defense. Will Miller return to form? Will he want to? What looms ahead for one of the NFL’s most visible stars?

I feel terrible for Miller. Even though he plays for the Broncos, I can’t help but respect the talent, work ethic, and passion for football that he brought to the field. I hope his recovery is smooth and that we can see him terrorizing Derek Carr into submission yet again soon.