Josey Jewell’s calf injury is already testing the depth of the Broncos’ inside linebacker corps.
Jewell, who is responsible for relaying defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s play call to the rest of the defense, missed practice for a second straight day Saturday because of a calf injury. He is listed as doubtful to play in the season opener on Monday night in Seattle. Jewell signed a two-year contract this offseason after missing the final 15 games of ’21 with a torn pectoral.
Coach Nathaniel Hackett said Alex Singleton would start in Jewell’s place, opposite of Jonas Griffith. Singleton will wear the “green dot” on his helmet to relay Evero’s play call.
“(Singleton and I) have a good chemistry — I trust him and he trusts me to make the right checks, make the right calls and be in the right positions,” Griffith said. “We’ve got to bring our big-boy pants (against the Seahawks) — we know what they’re going to do, they’re going to try to run the ball downhill, so we just have to out-physical them.”
Griffith returned to practice earlier this week after sustaining a dislocated elbow in the preseason opener against Dallas. He will wear a brace on that left elbow all season. Singleton, a free agent pickup this past offseason, led the Eagles in tackles each of the past two seasons.
“I’m looking to show that (same thing) as I did in Philadelphia,” Singleton said. “I want to show the player I am and what I can do… Hitting my spots and playing the game I know I can play.”
The other inside linebacker on the Broncos roster is Justin Strnad, who appeared in 16 games (five starts) in his second season last year after missing all of his rookie campaign with a wrist injury.
“He’ll be ready if we need him,” Griffith said.
Bonitto on debut. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, the team’s top draft pick this year in the second round at No. 64 overall, is eager to make his NFL debut after appearing in all three preseason games.
Bonitto was quiet in those first two games — no solo tackles and two penalties — before going off in the finale against Minnesota. In the win at Empower Field, the rookie out of Oklahoma had six tackles (four solo), two sacks for 17 yards, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
“I feel like when (Bonitto) first got here, he was kind of scared to mess up when it came to the plays,” veteran outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said. “But as the preseason went on, I saw him get more and more comfortable, and the last preseason game was a testament to how he’s already totally evolved as a rookie. He went out there and got sacks on consecutive plays in the fourth quarter and that was a big statement.”
Washington ready. Like Bonitto, fellow rookie Montrell Washington is “excited, and there’s a lot of nerves” ahead of Denver’s primetime opener. But Washington said he’s ready to bring a much-needed punch to the Broncos’ return game.
Denver hasn’t had a punt return for a touchdown since Dec. 13, 2020 (Diontae Spencer in Week 14 at Carolina, 83 yards), or a kick return for a touchdown since Sept. 29, 2013 (Trindon Holliday in Week 8 vs Eagles, 105 yards). And with Diontae Spencer as the primary return man last year, the Broncos ranked 19th in punt return average (8.2 yards) and last in kickoff return average (16.2).
“My main goal is giving the team good field position, and letting Russell (Wilson) get the ball at a good spot to do what he does,” Washington said. “And if I can, take it to the crib… Hopefully I can bring a few back this year.”
Footnotes. The Broncos listed outside linebacker Randy Gregory (shoulder), receiver KJ Hamler (knee) and right tackle Billy Turner (knee) as questionable to play Monday. All three were limited in Saturday’s practice, which was moved inside the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse at the UCHealth Training Center. Hackett was non-committal about who starts at right tackle (Calvin Anderson or Cam Fleming) if Turner isn’t active and wouldn’t disclose if Gregory would have a snap-count limitation after missing most of training camp.
