Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson threw the ball in individual periods and stretched with the team during the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to reporters as he works his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Head coach Nathaniel Hackett said before practice that Wilson would be listed as a non-participant, which means the team planned to hold Wilson out after individual work concluded.
The non-contact, sport-specific work means Wilson is moving through the protocol. The next phase would include non-contact practice work later in the week. There’s no guarantee he’ll move smoothly into further phases, but it does potentially set up a decision of whether to play him Sunday vs. Arizona if he clears through the protocol. Like earlier this week, Hackett would not confirm one way or the other whether the team is considering holding Wilson out even if he’s cleared to play.
“In the end, his safety is what matters most to us,” Hackett said. “We want to be sure we’re taking care of him and his well-being and we’re doing what’s right for Russell. It always starts right away with the medical department and we’ve got a really good medical department, then the independent neurologist, we’re making sure we’re in constant communication with them. He’s being monitored by everybody and we’ll go from there. We’ll talk with him and it will be an organizational decision.”
Wilson was knocked out of Sunday’s loss to Kansas City and he appeared to briefly lose consciousness after he hit his head on the Empower Field grass.
If Wilson does not play, fourth-year man Brett Rypien will start and practice squad member Jarrett Guarantano will be the backup, though the Broncos could also consider bringing in a third quarterback.
Gregory, Turner return to practice. Denver started the return-to-play clock on a pair of veterans working back from injured reserve Wednesday. Both outside linebacker Randy Gregory and offensive tackle Billy Turner were in uniform for practice, giving them a chance to play Sunday against Arizona.
Players have up to three weeks to be activated from the time they return to practice.
Gregory has been out since Week 4 with a knee injury and Turner has missed the minimum four weeks with a knee injury.
The pair of free agent signings have played in four games apiece this season.
“It’ll be exciting to have (Gregory) back out there,” Hackett said. “We’re looking forward to him hopefully playing on Sunday. We want him to be out there on Sunday. It’s hard to replace a guy like that.”
“It feels good,” Gregory said, adding that he was hoping to be back several weeks ago but his knee just didn’t heal fast enough. “Obviously it’s not the best timing or (as soon as) I wanted, but the main thing is to get back out there, get my feet wet again, make some plays and try to lead the defense the way I know I can.”
Left guard Dalton Risner returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday after missing the Broncos’ loss to Kansas City with a shoulder/back injury.
OLB Martin to IR. Outside linebacker Jacob Martin, acquired from the New York Jets at the trade deadline, is having season-ending knee surgery and will miss the final four games of the season, Hackett said Wednesday.
Elsewhere on the injury report, receivers Courtland Sutton and Kendall Hinton were out Wednesday due to hamstring injuries, as was defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (hip).
Tight end Andrew Beck (hamstring), linebacker Dakota Allen (hamstring), nickel K’Waun Williams (knee/wrist), receiver Brandon Johnson (quad) and safety Kareem Jackson (veteran rest) were limited.
The Broncos also signed outside linebacker Wyatt Ray and running back Tyreik McAllister to their practice squad and made the addition of wide receiver Freddie Swain off of Miami’s practice squad official.
