Nik Bonitto didn’t practice Wednesday, but the Broncos’ second-year outside linebacker is making good progress in his recovery from a left knee injury, head coach Sean Payton said.
Bonitto left Dec. 10’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers with a left knee injury and hasn’t played since. Payton on Wednesday said Bonitto injured his MCL.
“Good, optimistic,” Payton said. “I can’t — it’s going to be questionable for this game, he didn’t practice today. But I know he’s feeling better. That’s kind of day-to-day with an MCL. But I know he had a good first week of rehab and recovery.”
Bonitto is the Broncos’ leader in sacks (seven) and tackles for loss (11) so far this season. His return would be a big boost for Vance Joseph’s defense whether it happens Sunday night or on New Years Eve against the Chargers. Without him last week against Detroit, the Broncos were forced to play Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper nearly the entire game with only occasional spell snaps from rookie Drew Sanders.
Elsewhere on the injury front Wednesday for the Broncos, tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring/foot) did not practice, nor did running back Samaje Perine. Perine’s been getting early week practice time off for the past several weeks as a way of managing his workload and a knee issue he’s been dealing with.
Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (ankle) was a limited participant Wednesday.
The Broncos also opened the 21-day window to return from injured reserve for rookie offensive tackle Alex Palczewski, who has not yet played this season after hand and knee injuries in the preseason. He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. The window for Palczewski is open through the rest of the regular season, so he can participate in practice without counting against the 53-man roster. Then it would be up to Denver whether or not to activate him at some point over the final three games.
Jackson’s return. Kareem Jackson returned from a four-game suspension and practiced for the first time Wednesday.
Jackson has a one-game roster exception until Monday, meaning he could take the week to get in shape and return to game action next week against the Chargers if he and the team choose to.
Payton said they’ll make that decision as the week goes along.
“When he comes up, somebody else has to go down,” Payton said. “We’ll figure out how we’re going to handle it relatively to this week.”
So the first decision is whether Jackson’s ready from a conditioning standpoint to play. Then if he is activated, does he back up P.J. Locke, start and play full-time, or do they share time opposite Justin Simmons?
“Listen, it’s been four weeks,” Payton said. “All those things are possibilities and it’s still something we’re going through relative to packages.”
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