Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Chargers after testing out his knee during pregame warmups. Miller sitting out snapped a 91-game streak of consecutive starts.
“He was close [to playing],” coach Vic Fangio said after a 23-20 win over Los Angeles. “He went out and worked out extensively before the game. It was a painful decision for himself. He just didn’t think he could go the way he would want to go and decided that he wasn’t ready.
“I back him 100 percent. I told him before he went out there to work out, I said, ‘Whatever you’re feeling inside, I’m behind it 100 percent.’ It broke his streak which I know probably didn’t enter his mind too much. He wanted to play but just didn’t feel he could.”
Fangio added on Sunday evening that he is hopeful Miller will be able to play against the Texans in Week 14. During his Monday press conference, Fangio said he believes “there is a good chance” Miller will be able to play.
Before Sunday, Miller hadn’t missed any games since 2013. The edge defender was suspended to begin the year in 2013 after turning in a diluted drug test and then played in nine games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL.
That was the worst year of Miller’s career, a season in which he totaled just five sacks, averaging .55 sacks per game. Miller has totaled six sacks through 11 games this year, an average of .54 sacks per game.
With low sack numbers and a nagging knee injury, 2019 has been a year to forget for the seven-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro.
