A Potentially Serious Injury Clouds Tuesday’s Practice for the Denver Broncos
By Joe Morrone
Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When the Denver Broncos started training camp almost three weeks ago, they had two goals; get better and stay healthy. The second of those goals was probably the more important one and through Monday, everything was going well.
Starting linebacker, Danny Trevathan was carted off late in the practice with a knee injury. Those who saw the injury fear that it is serious and Trevathan himself was not happy. It’s never a good sign when the player is upset or angry, they usually know first.
There’s no way to sugar coat this if Trevathan is gone for any length of time. Not only is he the starting weak side linebacker, but he also makes all of the defensive calls.
Trevathan was a sixth round pick two years ago but really came on in 2013. He is excellent in pass coverage and has the speed to get from sideline to sideline. The Broncos lost Von Miller for most of last season and never had a true middle linebacker, but Trevathan held everything together. He plays every down and is often charged with making sure that others are in the right position.
As tough as this injury is and there’s no way to downplay its significance, but life will go on. We have been talking about the Broncos depth for most of the offseason and training camp. Now it’s time for that depth to step up and make an impact.
The first shot, if Trevathan is out for the long-term, will go to Brandon Marshall. No, not the former Broncos receiver. The Broncos signed Marshall to their practice squad last September and moved him to the active roster after Miller was lost for the season in late December.
The Broncos like Marshall and he has been having a great camp, but he’s not Trevathan. The results of what is sure to be an MRI will not be known till later today or tomorrow, but the early indications are not good.
John Fox likes to say, “Next man up.” This one may not be that simple, Trevathan is the leader of the defense and you just don’t replace that with the next man up.