LB Josey Jewell misses Broncos practice with a 'tweaked oblique'

The hits to the Broncos' linebacker corps keep coming.
Ben Swanson/Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos' struggles with the injury bug at the inside linebacker position began on day one of training camp with Todd Davis going down with a significant calf injury. 

That was followed by depth 'backer Joe Jones suffering a triceps injury during the Broncos' 14-10 preseason victory over Atlanta in the Hall of Fame Game. Jones' prognosis and timetable to return are currently up in the air. It could be a couple weeks, or he could even be done for the season if it's truly a torn triceps. 

On Monday, the latest victim of the injury bug was starter Josey Jewell, who left practice early. We found out afterward why Jewell left practice. 

“He kind of tweaked his side a little bit," head coach Vic Fangio said following practice. "I told [Head Athletic Trainer] Vince [Garcia] to take him in and start treating him.”

We learned on Tuesday that Jewell's injury is a 'tweaked oblique', via Mike Klis of 9NEWS. He was held out of Tuesday's practice, which will be the final one before the Broncos head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks on Thursday night. 

Jewell's absence is a blow to the defense. It means the Broncos are without both of their starting ILBs, with Davis not expected to return until the middle of August at soonest. 

“You hate to see anybody go down even if it’s not too bad, but with Todd being down and Josey now—we’ll see what’s up with him—it does give those guys great opportunities," Fangio said. "They are not one position right now that’s worried about reps.”

The silver lining to the three injuries the LB corps has sustained is that it gives the younger, less proven guys a bigger seat at the table. Guys like Keishawn Bierria, Alexander Johnson, Josh Watson and Joe Dineen will get an expanded opportunity to ply their wares under the watchful scrutiny of Fangio and the coaching staff. 

If this were a week of preparation ahead of a regular-season bout, Jewell would likely gut through any pain but since the Broncos are drawing the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night in what will be the team's second (of five) preseason games, there's no reason for the Broncos to throw Jewell out there — until he feels right. 

Meanwhile, it's 'next man up' for the Broncos' ILBs. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen. 


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Chad Jensen
CHAD JENSEN

Chad Jensen is the Founder of Mile High Huddle and creator of the wildly popular Mile High Huddle Podcast. Chad has been on the Denver Broncos beat since 2012 and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.