Bradley Chubb’s injury & Week 1 status revealed
For the first time since the 2018 season, Broncos Country is set to witness Bradley Chubb and Von Miller regularly on-field together.
For the first time since the 2018 season, Broncos Country is set to witness Bradley Chubb and Von Miller regularly on-field together.
Despite an ankle injury to Bradley Chubb this isn't about to change. Broncos fans would've been right to worry when news broke of Chubb missing the team's Wednesday (September 1) practice.
Speaking before Thursday's (September 2) practice, head coach Vic Fangio revealed Chubb "tweaked his ankle last week in practice just a little bit."
"[He] played in the game with it—this past game (against the Los Angeles Rams)," Fangio said. "It’s still bothering him a little bit, so we're going give them this week here to get it right.”
Fangio confirmed Chubb didn't injure the ankle which he underwent surgery on back in May, and was somewhat reassuring when asked if No. 55 could have played this week.
“Probably. We never had that question asked or answered, but probably," Fangio said.
Importantly, when asked whether he believed Chubb would suit up for the Broncos' Week 1 encounter with the New York Giants, Fangio was emphatic, replying "I do."
Chubb and Miller have been unable to consistently line up parallel from one another since 2018 with both missing in action during the 2019 and 2020 seasons respectively. During Chubb's rookie season, the fearsome duo combined for 26.5 sacks.
Instead of relying upon their freakish abilities alone, General Manager George Paton beefed up the Broncos' secondary with the additions of cornerbacks Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby and Pat Surtain II through free agency and the draft respectively. All-Pro safety Justin Simmons was also re-signed, with the hope being Denver's back-end can allow Miller and Chubb more time to do their thing.
"It’s a pressure and cover league, and I just don’t think you can have enough," Paton told reporters during an August 31 press conference.
"I like our group and it’s going to help the front better. When you can cover longer it helps Von, it helps Chubb and it helps all those guys. There was a thought process into that. I think with Vic’s defense, getting those guys that can cover, we’re only going to be that much better.”
Chubb will become an unrestricted free agent in 2023 and despite negotiations not currently taking place, Paton doesn't see the 25-year-old - or teammate Courtland Sutton, whose contract expires at the end of the 2021 season - leaving Englewood.
“We’re going to let that play out definitely with those guys," Paton said on August 31. "We plan on them being here a long time, but when we get to it, we will. They’ll hopefully be here a long time.
With the New York Giants possessing the worst offensive line in pro football, Fangio will be licking his lips at the prospect of his pass rushers getting to Daniel Jones early and often.
Von Miller makes bold statement on Broncos season
The uncertainty under centre has been a popular topic for media and fans alike across Colorado but the Super Bowl 50 MVP isn’t phased.
Peyton Manning’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a nostalgic moment for Broncos Country, celebrating their Super Bowl winning favorite son. Yet it equally served as a reminder of how vastly different their present-day quarterback situation is.
Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are still battling it out for the starting spot, despite Fangio naming Lock the starter for Saturday’s preseason opener at Minnesota. The uncertainty under centre has been a popular topic for media and fans alike across Colorado but one man who isn’t worried is the Super Bowl 50 MVP; Von Miller.
Speaking to Denver media after yesterday’s joint practice with the Vikings, Miller revealed how relaxed he is about the status of his signal-callers.
“To be honest—I keep it real with all you guys. I really don’t even think about it. I really don’t,” Miller said.
“Our offense is just so good. I say it all the time. We have Noah Fant, ‘Albert O’, Garett Bolles, Bobby Massie, Dalton Risner, Graham Glasgow. We have ‘Cush’ in the middle. We have Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler, ‘Spence’, Melvin Gordon. I know these guys. I see these guys every day.”
Hilariously, Miller suggested he would be able to keep it together with the weaponry available on offense Perhaps Von Elway could come to life after all.
“Whatever quarterback we put out there—I can go out there and play quarterback to be honest. I can go out there and play quarterback and make it happen. Those two guys are way better than me. Whatever quarterback they feel like going with, that’ll be the starter, and we have a great one on the bench.”
Before leaving the podium, Miller sent a vote of confidence to teammates and fans alike, giving hope of what may come this season.
“I think this is our year to do it. This is the best team we’ve been able to field for at least six or seven years. I’m excited about this team and I’m ready to go. Whatever quarterback we get, it’ll be good for me.”
Six or seven years ago? Remember what happened all those years ago, Broncos Country? Let me refresh your memory.
Von also had great things to say about his running mate Bradley Chubb, who managed 7.5 sacks last season despite his absence.
“Bradley—he’s just a different animal. He’s just a different beast. [He’s] so motivated and so driven,” Miller said.
“He’s inspired to be great in this league. I really enjoy playing with Bradley. He’s fighting back through injury and he’s doing everything he could possibly do to be on the football field. He is on the football field and he does a great job.
“His workload is increasing every day. It’ll be great to be back on the field with Bradley. He’s going to be good—100 percent. We don’t have to worry about Bradley Chubb.”
With Miller and Chubb lined up opposite each other again, alongside the offseason additions of Patrick Sutain III, Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby, the Broncos defense should be able to uphold their end of the bargain.
If Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater can steady the ship, this Denver team has every chance to be as good as the Vonster suggests.
The comeback is Von - Miller ‘whooping’ ass ahead of return
Denver Broncos legend Von Miller has been somewhat of a forgotten figure in league circles. Though all of that is about to change, as the devastating linebacker readies for his return. Some even say Von is back to his terrifying best.
Speaking to Denver media on Friday, Broncos kicker — and good friend of Miller — Brandon McManus shared just how scary No. 58 is looking ahead of the 2021 NFL season.
“He's been training for two years now, unfortunately last year with him getting hurt, training his butt off out there in California, and he's never looked any better,” McManus said.
“Him and I talk. We joke about–obviously everyone doubts his age and stuff like that. I think the first week he made a comment on how he's still whooping all these people's butts. They were 22, 23 years old. That's just who he is.”
McManus believes Miller’s mindset is key of his undeniable greatness, not too different to another of Colorado’s favorite sons.
“Just similar to Peyton [Manning]–whatever these guys put their minds to, they're able to accomplish. That's just the kind of competitors that they are and the athletes that they are. So I don't see anything slowing him down personally. I'm excited to watch him finally, for two years now, to get back out there and dominate like he did before.
“For the defense and the team as well, it's a huge mood boost to have somebody, the franchise sack leader, on the field with you and the way he's able to disrupt and help Bradley [Chubb] on the other side and help everybody on the field because similar as you know from our 2015 year, we had an incredible pass rush which means that our corners and safeties get to sit a little earlier because they don't have to cover for so long and it creates a lot of opportunities which turns into our [offensive] opportunities.”
McManus also lifted the lid on Von’s magnetic personality and how it effects teammates inside the Broncos’ Englewood facility.
“He's just a huge asset to have on the team, both physically and in the locker room,” McManus said of Miller.
“He's kind of like a glue. A lot of guys will come, and they'll get stuck to him. He has an infectious personality; it's fun. He loves to work, as you guys know.”
If Miller takes part in Denver’s first preseason game — as expected — on August 14, it will be his first steps on the gridiron since December 12, 2019 where the Broncos defeated the then-Oakland Raiders.
Buckle up AFC, the Vonster is coming for your quarterback.