Broncos & Patriots Each Rule Out Three for Christmas Eve Tilt

The Denver Broncos will be shorthanded on Sunday night, but what about the New England Patriots?

For most of the 2023 season, the Denver Broncos have been able to stave off the worst of the injury bug. But the Broncos aren't impervious to it. 

Like all NFL teams entering the final frame of the season, the Broncos are dinged and bruised. With the New England Patriots next up on the docket, the Broncos have ruled out three players for Christmas Eve's tilt on Sunday Night Football. 

It's worth mentioning, however, that two of them are players recently designated to return from injured reserve. Let's break down the final Week 16 injury report for both squads. 

Broncos

Out

• Nik Bonitto | OLB | Knee
• Greg Dulcich | TE | Hamstring/Foot
• Alex Palczewski | OT | Knee

Full Go

• Jonathon Cooper | OLB | Ankle
• Chris Manhertz | TE | NIR/Rest
• Samaje Perine | RB | NIR/Rest
• Mike Purcell | DT | NIR/Rest

Analysis: The big kicker here is Bonitto missing another game. Denver's sack leader suffered an MCL injury in Week 14, and he's not yet ready to go. The Broncos need Cooper and Baron Browning to step up their level of production this week against Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe to offset Bonitto's absence. 

Dulcich has appeared in two games this season as he's dealt with a severe and nagging hamstring injury, while Palczeweski has spent the entire regular season on IR after an impressive showing in the summer. Denver started Dulcich's clock last week, and in his first full practice back, he suffered a foot injury, and has been relegated to working out with trainers on the side. 

Head coach Sean Payton expressed optimism on Monday that the Broncos will be able to get Dulcich on the field in the three games that remain, but starting from early last week, the team has just 21 days to decide, which falls within the window of what remains of the season. If Dulcich suits up again in 2023, it'll be a Christmas miracle. 

As for Palczewski, circle Week 17 as the most likely return date for the rookie. He showed out well in training camp and preseason action before injuring his knee, but i the Broncos are forced to turn to him at any point, the rust might be seen falling off in chunks. 

Broncos-Patriots Week 16 Injury Report / Denver Broncos

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Patriots

Out

• Jabrill Peppers | S | Hamstring
• JuJu Smith-Schuster | WR | Ankle
• Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | Ankle

Questionable

• Conor McDermott | OT | Concussion
• Christian Barmore | DL | Shoulder
• Ja'Wuan Bentley | LB | Knee
• Trent Brown | OT | Ankle/Hand
• Hunter Henry | TE | Knee
• Jonathan Jones | CB | Knee
• Matthew Slater | SpT | Hamstring
• Jahlani Tavai | LB | Ankle

Full Go

• Tyrone Wheatley | OT | Knee

Analysis: The Patriots could be without three of their top-five tacklers this season (Peppers/Bentley/Tavai) vs. Denver. Peppers is out, while linebackers Bentley and Tavai are questionable. Considering how good New England is against the run, the availability of this duo will be key to how the game unfolds for Denver. 

The Patriots' injury report is deep, and the Broncos are definitely catching a break, especially with two offensive impact players being ruled out (Smith/Stevenson). If Vance Joseph's defense fails to capitalize, it'll be a harbinger of whether the Broncos are destined for the playoffs — and, frankly, whether they're deserving.

A team that can't bottle up a Bailey-led Patriots squad missing two of its key playmakers probably doesn't belong in the NFL tournament. 

UPDATE: According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Henry and McDermott have been downgraded to out for Week 16. 

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